liberty

at liberty

Freely able to do something. I know you're curious about the case, but I'm not at liberty to talk about it.
See also: liberty

Give me liberty, or give me death!

A set phrase indicating stark and unyielding refusal to submit to authoritarian measures or domination. The phrase is attributed to American politician Patrick Henry (1736–1799) from a speech he made to the Virginia Convention in 1775, calling for Virginian troops to assist in the Revolutionary War. Any number of alternative nouns can be used in place of "liberty" as a means of humorously or hyperbolically highlighting one's extreme reluctance to part with it. The government thinks it can censor our media, monitor our communications, and tax us to starvation without us putting up a fight. Well, I say to them, give me liberty, or give me death! Give me bacon or give me death!
See also: give

take liberties

1. To act disrespectfully or inappropriately. You're too friendly with your subordinates—that's why they take liberties with you. If he tries to take liberties with you, leave immediately.
2. To alter something (especially by making it inaccurate or untrue) in order to benefit from it or accommodate one's own needs or interests. I didn't slander you—the paper took liberties with what I said.
See also: liberty, take

take liberties with (someone or something)

1. To act disrespectfully or inappropriately. You're too friendly with your subordinates—that's why they take liberties with you. If he tries to take liberties with you, leave immediately.
2. To alter something (especially by making it inaccurate or untrue) in order to benefit from it or accommodate one's own needs or interests. I didn't slander you—the paper took liberties with what I said.
See also: liberty, take

take the liberty of (doing something)

To do something without first seeking out or asking someone's permission. I thought I'd take the liberty of printing out some financial reports ahead of today's meeting so we would all be on the same page. I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of telling your husband you'd be late for dinner.
See also: liberty, of, take

take the liberty to do (something)

To do something without first seeking out or asking for someone's permission. I took the liberty to print out some financial reports ahead of today's meeting. I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty to tell your husband you'd be late for dinner.
See also: liberty, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at liberty

free; unrestrained. The criminal was set at liberty by the judge. You're at liberty to go anywhere you wish. I'm not at liberty to discuss the matter.
See also: liberty

take liberties with someone or something

 and make free with someone or something
to freely use or abuse someone or something. You are overly familiar with me, Mr. Jones. One might think you were taking liberties with me. I don't like it when you make free with my lawn mower. You should at least ask when you want to borrow it.
See also: liberty, take

take the liberty of doing something

to do something for someone voluntarily; to do something slightly personal for someone that would be more appropriate if one knew the person better. (Often used as an overly polite exaggeration in a request.) Do you mind if I take the liberty of flicking a bit of lint off your collar? May I take the liberty of removing your coat? I took the liberty of ordering an entree for you. I hope you don't mind.
See also: liberty, of, take
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

at liberty

Free, not obligated; also, not occupied. For example, I am not at liberty to tell you the whole story, or " I ... washed when there was a basin at liberty" (Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847). This idiom is often used in a negative context, as in the first example. [First half of 1800s]
See also: liberty

take liberties

1. Behave improperly or disrespectfully; also, make unwanted sexual advances. For example, He doesn't allow staff members to take liberties, such as calling clients by their first names , or She decided that if Jack tried to take liberties with her she would go straight home. This idiom uses liberties in the sense of "an overstepping of propriety," and thus differs markedly from take the liberty of. [c. 1700]
2. Make a statement or take an action not warranted by the facts or circumstances, as in Their book takes liberties with the historical record.
See also: liberty, take

take the liberty of

Act on one's own authority without permission from another, as in I took the liberty of forwarding the mail to his summer address. It is also put as take the liberty to, as in He took the liberty to address the Governor by her first name. This rather formal locution was first recorded in 1625 and does not imply the opprobrium of the similar-sounding take liberties.
See also: liberty, of, take
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

take liberties

1 behave in an unduly familiar manner towards a person. 2 treat something freely, without strict faithfulness to the facts or to an original.
See also: liberty, take

take the liberty

venture to do something without first asking permission.
See also: liberty, take
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

take ˈliberties (with somebody/something)

be more free with somebody/something than you should be: The translator has taken too many liberties with this. The original meaning is lost. He uses our phone without asking, which I think is taking liberties.
See also: liberty, take

at ˈliberty (to do something)

(formal) having permission to do something: You are at liberty to leave, if you wish.
See also: liberty

take the liberty of doing something

(formal) do something without permission: I have taken the liberty of giving your address to a friend who is visiting London. I hope you don’t mind.
See also: liberty, of, something, take
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

at liberty

1. Not in confinement or under constraint; free.
2. Entitled or permitted to do something: We found ourselves at liberty to explore the grounds.
See also: liberty

take the liberty

To dare (to do something) on one's own initiative or without asking permission: I took the liberty to send you these pictures of my vacation.
See also: liberty, take
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • at liberty
  • all men are created equal
  • create
  • Give me liberty, or give me death!
  • beck and call
  • take the liberty to do (something)
  • take the liberty
  • take the liberty of (doing something)
  • take the liberty of doing
  • take the liberty of doing something
References in periodicals archive
An array of advocacy groups, some of whom are rarely in agreement on constitutional issues, have come together to urge the federal courts to uphold RLUIPA, including the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the ACLU, the American Jewish Congress, the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, the Christian Legal Society, People For the American Way, and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.
Religious liberty: Supreme Court agrees to consider federal religious liberty law
Liberty Mutual's total ad placement dollars for 2004 was $2.6 million, according to the company.
Liberty Mutual's ads grab honors
2, forcing the state out of the workers' compensation business and allowing Liberty to - perhaps - double its market share, Oregon would remain a tiny part of the business empire of Liberty's Boston CEO, Edmund "Ted" Kelly.
Deep look reveals Liberty's intentions
Garside joined Ironshore Bermuda as senior vice president of Property in 2018 prior to its rebrand to Liberty Specialty Markets.
Liberty Specialty Markets Promotes Garside to Head of Bermuda Property
The 26,000 s/f museum features three gallery spaces, each one meant to inspire visitors and educate them about the Statue of Liberty in interactive and thought-provoking ways.
City praises team that built Ellis Island museum
Liberty Latin America is a leading telecommunications company operating in over 20 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean under the consumer brands VTR, Flow, Liberty, MA s Movil, BTC and Cabletica.
Liberty Latin America Acquires Remaining 40% of Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico from Searchlight Capital
"The rebranding of our joint operation as Liberty Mutual Canada is an important milestone in our journey to come together as one organization," Garth Pepper, president, Liberty Mutual Canada, said in prepared remarks.
Liberty Mutual Rebrands Canadian Operations in Wake of 2017 Ironshore Acquisition
After giving effect to the split-off, the assets of GCI Liberty consist of its subsidiaries GCI and Evite and interests in Liberty Broadband, Charter and Lending Tree.
Liberty Interactive, GCI Liberty complete transactions
Barnwell and Stetler didn't contact Liberty regarding any additional costs for the tile work.
Making Repairs
As the key part of a beautification plan that includes landscaping and lighting, the new museum will give the more than 4.3 million annual visitors to the Statue of Liberty the opportunity to learn about and honor the Statue's history, influence and legacy in the world.
High Concrete lands Liberty Island museum contract
The issues were raised by Liberty's minority stockholders, after they deemed the P2.20 per share tender offer price 'too low.'
PSE looks into valuation issues hounding Liberty
The company exchanged each share of A-series common stock for one share of Liberty Media XM (LSXMA), 0.1 shares of Liberty Braves (BATRA) and 0.25 shares of Liberty Media A-series common (NASDAQ: LMCA).
Liberty Media Recaps Into Tracking Stocks
Edmund "Ted" Kelly is cutting his last tie to Liberty Mutual Insurance after more than 20 years with the company.
Liberty Mutual's 'Ted' Kelly Retires as Chairman; CEO Long Elected
The groups include Liberty Counsel, Life International, Family Research Council, The Justice Foundation, Learn, Inc., Living Waters, the Duggar Family as well as the National Center for Life and Liberty.
National Center for Life and Liberty - United for Life
In this journal in 2010 we published an article entitled "Direct and Overall Liberty: Areas and Extent of Disagreement." (1) In the next volume (2011), two comments on our article were published, one by Walter Block and one by Claudia Williamson.
Direct and overall liberty: replies to Walter Block and Claudia Williamson