take liberties

1. Make a statement or take an action not warranted by the facts or circumstances, as in Their book takes liberties with the historical record .

2. Behave improperly or disrespectfully; also, make unwanted sexual advances. For example, He doesn't allow staff members to take liberties, such as calling clients by their first names , or She decided that if Jack tried to take liberties with her she would go straight home . This idiom uses liberties in the sense of “an overstepping of propriety,” and thus differs markedly from take the liberty of . [c. 1700]

Example Sentences

Just because it is a biopic, sometimes people take liberties.

From The Daily Beast

Did you two ever disagree when you wanted to take liberties and he wanted to stick to the facts?

From The Daily Beast

He's awfully busy—his room's full—he isn't the sort to take liberties with—I don't want to bother him again.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not so, however, for there is enough and to spare of men who think that they are geniuses, and take liberties accordingly.

From Project Gutenberg

I never was afraid of guns; but I don't want any person except a barber to take liberties like that with my face again.

From Project Gutenberg

Scott is singularly careful not to take liberties with the geography of the localities where his story is laid.

From Project Gutenberg

Oh, a man doesnt take liberties, in such a way, unless a girl has allowed a good deal.

From Project Gutenberg