free hand

American  

noun

1. unrestricted freedom or authority.

   They gave the decorator a free hand.

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free hand British  

noun

1. unrestricted freedom to act (esp in the phrase give ( someone ) a free hand )

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adjective

1. (done) by hand without the use of guiding instruments

   a freehand drawing

free hand Idioms  

1. Also, free rein. Freedom to do or decide as one sees fit. For example, The teacher gave her assistant a free hand with the class, or They gave me free rein to reorganize the department. The first expression dates from the late 1800s, the second from the mid-1900s.

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Etymology

Origin of free hand

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

A new chairman is imposed on a department with a free hand to make whatever appointments he thinks necessary to restore the department to health.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025

"So I had a free hand to launch reforms, as long as Spain's unity was not endangered."

From Barron's • Nov. 5, 2025

In the prior regime, Sheridan had been given a free hand creatively and on spending, which Ellison and his new executive team had reportedly signaled might not continue in the same way.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 29, 2025

The commission must approve exception appointments at the most senior grade, but below this level departments have a free hand to recruit.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2024

“Will you at least tell me where we’re going?” he asks as I shove him ahead of me with my free hand.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black