free rein

noun

1. unhampered freedom of movement, choice, or action:

   Students have free rein to choose their own class schedules.

Word History and Origins

Origin of free rein¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Idioms and Phrases

see free hand .

Example Sentences

On education, the incoming Trump Administration hopes to give free rein to “an army of far-right Christians” and attack “the very foundations of free, secular education.”

From Salon

"Tom Hayhoe brings a wealth of experience and will leave no stone unturned as a commissioner with free rein to investigate the unacceptable carnival of waste and fraud during the pandemic."

From BBC

It gave students free rein to work at their own level, avoid boredom and show off their talents.

From Los Angeles Times

He has promised to abandon U.S. allies, including Ukraine, and give Israel free rein to, as he told Benjamin Netanyahu last month, “do what you have to do.”

From Los Angeles Times

As vice president, Vance would have free rein to shape federal policy within a Trump administration.

From Salon