free (redirected from freed)

allow/give someone (a) free rein

to allow someone to do what they want or go where they want to. The older kids were given free rein to do whatever they wanted. (often + to do something) We shut the kitten out of the bedroom but allowed her free rein in the rest of the apartment.

See also: allow, give, rein

allow/give something (a) free rein

if you give ideas or emotions free rein, you allow them to develop and do not try to control them. With all these materials available, we can give our creativity free rein.

See also: allow, give, rein

as free as a bird

completely free to do what you want and without any worries. She'd been travelling alone round the Greek islands for a year - free as a bird.

See also: bird

be footloose and fancy-free (old-fashioned)

if someone is footloose and fancy-free, they can do what they want because they are not married or do not have many responsibilities. Jane's planning to go to parties and clubs every night now that she's footloose and fancy-free.

be home free (American & Australian)

to be certain to succeed at something because you have finished the most difficult part of it. Once you leave the expressway and cross the bridge, you're home free - we're the third house after the bridge.

See also: home

feel free

something that you say in order to tell someone that they are allowed to do something. The restaurant doesn't sell alcohol, so feel free to bring your own beer and wine. (often + to do something) If you want to use my computer for your report, feel free.

See also: feel

a free agent

someone whose actions are not limited or controlled by anyone else. Once the divorce has come through you'll be a free agent again.

free and easy

relaxed and informal. The atmosphere in our office is always free and easy.

See also: easy

a free ride

an opportunity or advantage that someone gets without having done anything to deserve it. Just because he was the boss's son didn't mean Tim got a free ride.

See also: ride

a free spirit

someone who does what they want and does not feel limited by the usual rules of social behaviour. His brothers describe Nick as something of a free spirit, unconventional and adventurous.

See also: spirit

a free-for-all

a situation that is not controlled, and where everyone does what they want or fights for what they want to get. This is supposed to be a sensible debate, don't let it degenerate into a free-for-all. In the economic free-for-all of the final years of communism, he was able to amass a sizeable fortune.

get away/off scot-free (informal)

to avoid the punishment that you deserve or expect. If you don't take out a complaint against him he'll get off scot-free!

See also: away

give someone a free hand

to allow someone to do whatever they think is necessary in a particular situation. His manager had given him a free hand to make whatever changes he felt necessary. (often + to do something)

See also: give, hand

have a free hand

give someone a free hand - to allow someone to do whatever they think is necessary in a particular situation. The editor said I could have a free hand in designing the cover page. (sometimes + in + doing something)

See also: hand

It's a free country!

something that you say which means that you have the right to do something even if someone else has criticized you for it. I'll shout if I want to - it's a free country!

See also: country, it's

make free with something

to use something a lot, even when it does not belong to you. I won't have him in my house, making free with my whiskey.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

something that you say which means that if someone gives you something, they always expect you to give them something or to do something for them. He offered me a room in his house, but he seems to expect me to do all the housework. I should have known there's no such thing as a free lunch.

See also: lunch, such, thing

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feel free (to do something)

to know that you have permission to do something. Please feel free to pour yourself some more coffee.

See also: feel

free and clear

without debt or legal claims. He owns a home in Mexico free and clear.

Usage notes: usually said about houses and property

See also: clear

give someone/something (a) free reign

give someone/something (a) free rein

See also: give, reign

give someone/something (a) free rein

to allow someone or something complete freedom. The owners gave the chef free reign to create a new menu. She was afraid to give free rein to her feelings.

See also: give, rein

home free

sure of success because you have finished the most difficult part. Once you get past the essay questions on the test, you're home free.

See also: home