at liberty

1. Free, not obligated; also, not occupied. For example, I am not at liberty to tell you the whole story, or “I ... washed when there was a basin at liberty” (Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847). This idiom is often used in a negative context, as in the first example. [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Introduced in 2006 and unique to Scotland, the orders are imposed if it is believed that a prisoner has shown a pattern of behaviour which could escalate and seriously endanger the public if they were at liberty.

From BBC

The trial is set to continue until December and the defendant will remain at liberty, under judicial supervision.

From BBC

Despite the serious charges against him, Mr Péchier has remained at liberty under judicial supervision and told French radio on Monday there was "no proof of any poisoning".

From BBC

According to their accounts, many of the teens and tweens at Liberty Godparent Home were raised in evangelical households and were spirited off to the home as a kind of spiritual corrective or face-saving mechanism by parents who seemed to care more about their own reputations than their daughters’ well-being.

From Slate

Maternity homes like the one at Liberty are part of the anti-abortion crusade to make America a “pro-life” nation.

From Slate

Related Words

• able 
• at large 
• clear 
• easy 
• independent 
• loose 
• open 
• unfettered 
• unrestricted