hall pass

American  

[hawl pas] / ˈhɔl ˌpæs /

noun

1. a slip of paper or other object authorizing a student to be out of the classroom during a class period.

   I hand out only four hall passes per term—two bathroom passes and two locker passes.

2. permission from one’s spouse or partner to go out independently for any desired activity, sometimes even including sexual encounters with other partners.

   His wife and little person were going out, so he had a hall pass to come with us for a bite to eat.

3. freedom or license to do something not normally allowed.

   Temperatures are starting to drop, but that doesn't mean we have a hall pass to halt our outdoor workouts.

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Etymology

Origin of hall pass

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

And I mentioned this in the book, and I say, if I would've known anything, I would've abused it just how I abused the hall pass.

From Salon • Feb. 5, 2023

“It’s just your little hall pass that you’re writing out for yourself,” she told them.

From Washington Post • Aug. 11, 2022

And during one visit to the Clinton White House, the president urged Young to stay, but Young said he would need a hall pass.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 28, 2022

“That’s where Monica came in. She was so often saying, ‘Let’s put this in, we can’t give me a hall pass.’

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2021

There’s nowhere to go without a hall pass.

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon