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

Unlike the case of Colbert, who has largely been given relatively free rein to cover controversial topics without network oversight, “The Smothers Brothers” was almost always in conflict with CBS’s censors.

From Salon

With little to no research publicly available on how high-velocity-and-movement training methods are hurting or — albeit highly unlikely — helping pitchers’ elbows and shoulders, Meister said, it’s often free rein with little — if any — guardrails.

From Los Angeles Times

In other words, the president should have free rein to do as he pleases.

From Salon

A majority of this scale is an insurance policy, not free rein.

From BBC

Greene called for the portion to be "stripped out" in the Senate, criticizing the "free rein" the bill gives to "potentially dangerous" AI development.

From Salon