free hand

noun

Synonym of free rein.

Similar
free reinblank check
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Meanings

nounfree hand (plural free hands)

plural free hands

  1. idiomaticSynonym of free rein.

    "Since I've been here, I've been given a fairly free hand by the GCR board to get on with things, properly understand the organisation from a different perspective, and develop a new business plan for the future," he tells RAIL.

    2023 August 23, Malcom Holmes tells Paul Stephen, “A mission to develop GCR's legacy”, in RAIL, number 990, page 38

    Synonyms: free rein

  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see free, hand.

    Wreck divers as well as night divers and cave divers have found that having a light or lights mounted on their head allows the divers to have free hands while being able to see.

    1991, Daniel Berg, Shipwreck Diving, page 26

Synonyms & antonyms

nounSynonym of free rein.

Similar
free rein

More synonyms by meaning

nounfreedom to do as you see fit

Similar
blank check
Broader
freedom
Also see
blank checkcarte blanchefree rein

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry
APA

free hand. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/free%20hand

MLA

“free hand.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/free%20hand. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “free hand,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/free%20hand.

Source: free hand on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.