carte blanche Hear it!

carte blanche Definition

carte· blanche (kärt′ bläns̸h′; Fr kȧrt bläns̸h′)

noun pl. cartes′· blanches′kärt′ bläns̸h′; Fr kȧrt bläns̸h′

  1. full authority
  2. freedom to do as one wishes

Etymology: Fr, lit., white card, i.e., paper bearing only a person's signature, allowing the bearer to fill in conditions

carte blanche Synonyms

carte blanche

n.

full authority, unconditional authority, full power, unconditional power, full right, complete right, free hand, license, power of attorney, open sanction, open mandate, prerogative, free rein, blank check*; see also freedom 2, permission, power 2.

carte blanche Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • give: Given carte blanche, which piece of work or project would you most like to direct?
  • have: You have carte blanche in the account of human lives.
  • offer: But the Act does not offer carte blanche for anyone who might now think bankruptcy is the easiest way out.
  • hand: The terrorist attacks handed a temporary carte blanche to missile defense advocates, with important implications for the disarmament agenda of the 21st century.

Noun used with modifier

  • business: Each state's Business Corporation Act gives business corporations carte blanche to engage in any lawful business activity.
  • scientist: He is thereby giving scientists carte blanche to do as they please.
  • corporation: Each state's Business Corporation Act gives business corporations carte blanche to engage in any lawful business activity.

Browse dictionary entries near carte blanche

  1. ‹ Carte
  2. ‹ Cartagena
  3. ‹ cartage
  4. ‹ cart
  5. ‹ Carstensz
  6. ‹ Carson City
  7. ‹ Carson
  8. ‹ carsick
  9. ‹ carryover
  10. ‹ carryout
  1. carte du jour ›
  2. cartel ›
  3. cartelize ›
  4. Carter ›
  5. Carteret ›
  6. Carterfone Decision ›
  7. Cartesian ›
  8. Cartesian coordinates ›
  9. Carthage ›
  10. Carthusian ›