carte blanche
Unlimited decision-making power
Carte blanche is complete freedom to act as one sees fit, without restrictions or prior approval.
The French phrase means "blank card"—an unsigned document you can fill in however you wish.
The director was given carte blanche to cast the film.
She had carte blanche with the budget.
Absence of unjust constraint
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- leewayPermissible margin of freedom
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- free reinUnrestricted freedom to act
discretion · autonomy · independence · artistic freedom · full swing · elbow room · wiggle room · breathing room
Formal permission granted
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- approvalFavorable opinion given
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- free handUnrestricted authority to decide
full discretion · green light · clearance · mandate · licence · warrant · dispensation · entitlement
Self-assurance or trust
- faithTrust without proof
- relianceState of needing support
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- entrustmentTransfer of responsibility
good faith · credence · assurance · belief · dependence · responsibility · accountability · charge
Maximum operational capacity
- supreme authorityAbsolute governing power
- unlimited powerAuthority without constraint
- executive privilegePresidential secrecy doctrine
- plenipotentiaryDiplomat with full authority
liberty
Absence of unjust constraint
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- leewayPermissible margin of freedom
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
free rein · discretion · autonomy · independence · artistic freedom · full swing · elbow room · wiggle room · breathing room · maneuverability
authorization
Formal permission granted
free hand · full discretion · green light · clearance · mandate · licence · warrant · dispensation · entitlement · privilege
confidence
Self-assurance or trust
- faithTrust without proof
- relianceState of needing support
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
entrustment · good faith · credence · assurance · belief · dependence · responsibility · accountability · charge · commission
full power
Maximum operational capacity
- supreme authorityAbsolute governing power
- unlimited powerAuthority without constraint
- executive privilegePresidential secrecy doctrine
- French Loanwordsballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit, chef
- permissionpermission granted, granted, allowed, permitted, authorization
- Artistic Freedomartistic freedom, creative freedom, artistic autonomy, creative autonomy, artistic license
- blank slatestabula rasa, clean slate, clean sheet, virgin territory, wiped clean
- card gamespoker, blackjack, solitaire, hearts, spades
- authorityleaders, ruler, rulers, monarch, bosses
carte blancherestriction
Limit on action
constraint · limitation · prohibition · micromanagement · short leash
carte blanchefine print
Miniature contractual text
stipulations · conditions · terms and conditions · red tape · regulations
blank, charter, blankness, blanking, blanched, carte, blanching, blanche