free pass
18
4.2
- noun
- /fri pæs/
- Informal
:
pase libre
- I think it's a free pass for me to do the absolute exact same thing.
He gets the biggest free pass of all time.
- He gets the biggest free pass of all time.
- Do they get a free pass?
- That genius by its very nature deserves a free pass.
- I think it's really important that there is no free pass given to people who promote hatred and bigotry.
- But the judge, Judge Hallwell, gave Agent Kang a free pass on this.
- But because of this venting, because of this talking before you think he just gets a free pass.
- Because of their lack of capacity to regulate, and using drugs can often get them a free pass from other people for their behavior for years.
- Many a so-called really genius smart person acts badly and gets a free pass, as though the smartness or genius is a substitute virtue.
- And because he managed to get all of this exposure, and I don't agree with those who say that we didn't challenge him, that we gave him a free pass.
- And the reason it gets a free pass is because I think these people have worked out that there is greater value from its wearing rather than from the policing of its wearing.
- So you and, and my wife, I'm pretty sure she should just get a free pass in heaven.
- One of the things that gets misunderstood so much is that women see men and even in some situations give women a free pass.
- We have we have the worst turn out on the ballots, you know, on the on the ballot, but forever, you know, so they've been given a free pass.
Examples
-
If a man's home is messy, Americans tend to give him a free pass.
Blog text (14) -
I'm just saying the guy stole from everyone who works in your building and it looked like you gave him a free pass.
-
I agree that I think no political party should be given a free pass in that sense, right?
-
So what, he gets like a free pass?
-
We give too much of A free pass to the behavior that happens within a close relationship.
-
To be sure, Washington should not hand Islamabad a free pass.
Academic text (2012) -
The fact that God forgives you does not give you a "free pass" to just move forward.
Blog text (12) -
Once you don't, you can't expect society to give you a free pass because of your hurt.
Blog text (20) -
Many a so-called really genius smart person acts badly and gets a free pass, as though the smartness or genius is a substitute virtue.
-
He received a free pass for his influential connections, allowing him to avoid criticism for his actions.
Synonyms
73
5.1
Official permission that frees someone from a rule or duty
37
4.2
A benefit you get without paying or working
11
5.6
A chance to avoid punishment or trouble
Antonyms
198
6.1
Being responsible for your actions and having to explain them to other people
How Exempt
11
8.1
- Formal
173
4.9
- Informal
18
4.2
26
4.6
37
4.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun combines 'free' (to exempt) with 'pass' (a permit), so a learner who knows those senses can partially infer a meaning of exemption or permission; however many learners will first interpret 'free' as 'no cost' and may not predict the figurative extension to exemption from criticism or consequences without cultural/contextual knowledge. Because the intended sense is a metaphorical extension of a literal permit, it is only partially predictable for a B1 learner.
Etymology
Free pass uses the same image: the words free and pass make you imagine a special ticket that lets someone go past a rule or a sign. That's why people say someone has a 'free pass' when they are excused from 'rules' or 'punishment'.