a free hand
noun
: the freedom to do things and make decisions without being controlled by another
Her father gave her a free hand in running the family business.
Examples of a free hand in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But over all, historically, America has given Israel quite a free hand vis-à-vis the Palestinians.
—
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Instead, successive administrations have essentially given the Jewish state a free hand to expand its settlements in the West Bank, which are aimed at preventing a future Palestinian country from emerging and have been Israel’s key national project since 1967.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2025
Israel should be given a free hand to finish off Hamas, without pressure to agree to a cease-fire, and the U.S. should not resuscitate Obama’s disastrous nuclear deal.
—The Editors, National Review, 29 May 2025
That has amounted to something of a free hand for Mr. Netanyahu, who appears prepared to use it.
—Michael Crowley, New York Times, 6 May 2025
The states need a free hand to decide on their own which laws, regulations, and rules are appropriate for their markets.
—Ed Hirs, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Entering Thursday night, the Chiefs certainly had done enough replenishing and spackling of their roster through free agency to be able to operate with a free hand in the 2025 NFL Draft.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2025
The Cleaner Economy Coalition is a 501(c)(4) — a nonprofit class with a free hand to make lobbying and advocacy its main focus.
—Ben Geman, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
His decision appalled the left, who see backing the bill as tantamount to offering a free hand to Trump and his deeply controversial ally Elon Musk.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 15 Mar. 2025
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Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Instead, successive administrations have essentially given the Jewish state a free hand to expand its settlements in the West Bank, which are aimed at preventing a future Palestinian country from emerging and have been Israel’s key national project since 1967.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2025
Israel should be given a free hand to finish off Hamas, without pressure to agree to a cease-fire, and the U.S. should not resuscitate Obama’s disastrous nuclear deal.
—The Editors, National Review, 29 May 2025
That has amounted to something of a free hand for Mr. Netanyahu, who appears prepared to use it.
—Michael Crowley, New York Times, 6 May 2025
The states need a free hand to decide on their own which laws, regulations, and rules are appropriate for their markets.
—Ed Hirs, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Entering Thursday night, the Chiefs certainly had done enough replenishing and spackling of their roster through free agency to be able to operate with a free hand in the 2025 NFL Draft.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2025
The Cleaner Economy Coalition is a 501(c)(4) — a nonprofit class with a free hand to make lobbying and advocacy its main focus.
—Ben Geman, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
His decision appalled the left, who see backing the bill as tantamount to offering a free hand to Trump and his deeply controversial ally Elon Musk.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“A free hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20free%20hand. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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