free hand

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Thai air force has had a free hand bombing targets inside Cambodia, which has limited air defences and no air force of its own to speak of.

From BBC

Autumn tugs listlessly at her jacket sleeve with her free hand.

From Literature

Her expression of intense, agonizing curiosity said the rest, as did the excited way she pranced in place and the soundless giggles that she carefully muffled with her free hand.

From Literature

A new chairman is imposed on a department with a free hand to make whatever appointments he thinks necessary to restore the department to health.

From The Wall Street Journal

"So I had a free hand to launch reforms, as long as Spain's unity was not endangered."

From Barron's