free rein
unhampered freedom of movement, choice, or action: Students have free rein to choose their own class schedules.
Origin of free rein
1Words Nearby free rein
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use free rein in a sentence
Matthew liked to join us at the dinner table, where he had free rein.
Gene Weingarten: Confessions of a compassionate hit man | Gene Weingarten | February 25, 2021 | Washington PostThis self-dealing creates a quagmire inside the proton, giving gluons free rein to arise, proliferate and split into short-lived quark-antiquark pairs.
Decades-Long Quest Reveals Details of the Proton’s Inner Antimatter | Natalie Wolchover | February 24, 2021 | Quanta MagazineThe game then gives you free rein to tackle a number of objectives beyond getting to know the Anglo Saxons of England.
How ‘Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’ makes sense of stories about Vikings, pirates and George Washington | Gene Park | January 1, 2021 | Washington PostThey’re given free rein to grow, but the expectation is that they’ll provide a return on investment.
The end of the Series A: While tech financing booms, DTC brands face a new reality | jim cooper | December 31, 2020 | DigidayFor their first few decades, they were pretty much given free rein.
Does Advertising Actually Work? (Part 2: Digital) (Ep. 441) | Stephen J. Dubner | November 26, 2020 | Freakonomics
Kim Jong Un, who assumed power on the death of his father, had given uncle Jang nearly free rein to handle relations with Beijing.
The auteurs of the world are no longer given free rein and are now beholden to certain financial imperatives.
Alec Baldwin Uncensored: On His HBO Doc, Bloomberg, Polanski, and The New York Times | Marlow Stern | October 22, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTOr will we once again, weeping with remorse, give free rein to the assassins of body and spirit?
The crowds in Taksim Square had free rein in the pre-dawn hours on Sunday.
As Police Cede Taksim Square, Istanbul Remains On Edge | Mike Giglio | June 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTAny progress made, however little, could soon unravel as the LRA are given free rein, once again, to do as they please.
Joseph Kony Gets a Break as U.S. and African Forces Stop Their Search | William Lloyd George | April 6, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTClemens allowed his exuberant fancy free rein, being under no restrictions as to the possibility of print or public offense.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete | Albert Bigelow PaineAnd Mrs. Roberts gleefully assented, and gave free rein to her pretty tastes.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking | Isabella AldenOnce the hackberry was reached, the horses were given free rein, when restraint became necessary to avoid galloping home.
Wells Brothers | Andy AdamsHe was thrilled with joy at the thought, and gave free rein to the emotions of his heart.
Guy Kenmore's Wife and The Rose and the Lily | Mrs. Alex McVeigh MillerIt is by giving free rein to folly, in conversation and action, that people expose themselves to contempt and ridicule.
Martine's Hand-book of Etiquette, and Guide to True Politeness | Arthur Martine
Other Idioms and Phrases with free rein
see free hand.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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