allow (one) free rein
To give one complete freedom to do what one wants or chooses. Can you believe the boss allowed me free rein on this project? Finally, I can present a campaign with my own vision! It seems ludicrous that the government would allow a megacorporation like them free rein with so much funding. Whoa, you don't have to get your topic approved by the professor? She really allowed you free rein on this one?
allow (one) full rein
To give one complete freedom to do what one wants or chooses. Can you believe the boss allowed me full rein on this project? Finally, I can present a campaign with my own vision! It seems ludicrous that the government would allow a megacorporation like them full rein with so much funding. Whoa, you don't have to get your topic approved by the professor? She really allowed you full rein on this one?
allow (one) up
To let someone rise from a prone position. If you're able to knock down your opponent, don't allow him up! All right, allow your brother up already. We don't have time for this nonsense. The bigger boys took turns sitting on me and punching me for a good five minutes before they would allow me up.
allow (someone or something) in(to) (something or some place)
To permit entry. The club allowed me into their meeting. The garage is so crowded that the attendants wouldn't allow my car in. How long do you think we'll have to wait before they allow us into the security line?
allow (something) full play
To develop something completely. That's a good concept, and I think we should allow it full play in our new ad campaign. You need to allow your kids' creativity full play at this age. Her vision for the project is solid, and I say we allow it full play this quarter.
allow for (something)
1. To plan for or consider something in advance. I didn't allow for traffic this morning, and now, I'm going to be late. The flowers haven't bloomed because I didn't allow for such cold weather. A: "It's important that we allow for the possibility that our funding proposal gets rejected." B: "Yes, we should come up with a backup plan."
2. To have or portion an appropriate amount of something. I don't have any money to spare because I didn't allow for this sudden influx of bills when I made my monthly budget. I'm afraid we won't have enough food—I didn't allow for so many guests. We only allowed for two days at the amusement park, and that really wasn't enough—the kids could have spent every day of our vacation there.
allow me
set phrase Let me do it. Typically said before a polite action or gesture. "Allow me," my date said before opening my car door. Allow me—I'll open the wine bottle. A: "I'm afraid I'm not very good at cutting cakes." B: "Oh, Aunt Nancy can do it." C: "Yes, honey, allow me."
allow nature to take its course
To let events develop and conclude naturally, i.e., as they would without outside intervention, help, or interference. The phrase can refer literally to nature or figuratively to manmade situations or events. Though I know people are eager to help those affected by the earthquake, unfortunately we have to allow nature to take its course before anything can be done. We've done as much preparation for the election as we can; we just have to allow nature to take her course tomorrow. If we allowed nature to take its course and stopped maintaining this lot, it would look like the rest of the forest in months.
allow of (something)
proverb To permit, enable, or suggest something. I think this plot could allow of several different endings, so I really can't predict where it's headed. Don't get locked into one way of thinking. Any problem allows of multiple solutions if we are creative enough to see them.
everything which is not forbidden is allowed
law One is free to do anything that is not explicitly illegal. A: "Everything which is not forbidden is allowed—it's the cornerstone of a free society." B: "Yeah, but with all these trifling laws, it certainly seems like not much is allowed anymore." I know you believe that "everything which is not forbidden is allowed," but that attitude going to get you into serious trouble one day, sonny. Why am I in trouble? There was no rule explicitly prohibiting skateboarding in this park, and everything which is not forbidden is allowed, is it not?
give (one) free rein
To give one complete freedom to do what one wants or chooses. "Rein" refers to the reins of a horse. Can you believe the boss gave me free rein on this project? Finally, I can present a campaign with my own vision! It seems ludicrous that the government would give a megacorporation like them free rein with so much funding. Whoa, you don't have to get your topic approved by the professor? She really gave you free rein on this one?
give (one) full rein
To give one complete freedom to do what one wants or chooses. Can you believe the boss gave me full rein on this project? Finally, I can present a campaign with my own vision! It seems ludicrous that the government would give a megacorporation like them full rein with so much funding. Whoa, you don't have to get your topic approved by the professor? She really gave you full rein on this one?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
allow for someone or something
1. to plan on having enough of something (such as food, space, etc.) for someone. Mary is bringing Bill on the picnic, so be sure to allow for him when buying the food. Allow for an extra person when setting the table tonight.
2. to plan on the possibility of something. Allow for a few rainy days on your vacation. Be sure to allow for future growth when you plant the rosebushes.
allow me
and permit mePlease let me help you. (*Typically said by someone politely assisting another person, as by opening a door or providing some personal service. In Allow me, the stress is usually on me. In Permit me, the stress is usually on -mit.) Tom and Jane approached the door. "Allow me," said Tom, grabbing the doorknob. "Permit me," said Fred, pulling out a gold-plated lighter and lighting Jane's cigarette.
allow someone or something into a place
and allow someone or something into permit someone or something to enter some place. Will they allow you in the restaurant without a tie? They won't allow in too many visitors.
allow someone up
(from something) to permit someone to arise or get up. (Fixed phrase.) He knocked Peter down and would not allow him up from the ground. The doctor won't allow you up!
allow something for something
1. to allocate a share or a suitable amount of something, such as time, money, space, etc., for some activity or goal. I allowed only an hour for lunch. They did not allow enough money for their expenditures this month.
2. to give consideration to circumstances or contingencies. We allowed room for expansion when we designed the building. Allowing for his youth and lack of experience, I forgave him completely for his oversight.
*some elbow room
Fig. room to move about in; extra space to move about in. (*Typically: allow ~; get ~; have ~; give someone ~; need ~.) This table is too crowded. We all need some elbow room.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.