dated Having the legal freedom to make one's own decisions in life, without being beholden to the influence of anyone else. The phrase arose from the time in the US when slavery was still prominent, and being white and twenty-one (the age of majority) meant that one was a free, and thus "full," citizen. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. Hell, I don't need your approval, or anyone else's, for that matter. I'm free, white, and twenty-one, so I'll do as I please!