take liberties
Act too familiar
To take liberties is to act with excessive familiarity or freedom, often violating boundaries of propriety or consent.
Someone who takes liberties with a person assumes an intimacy not granted: He took liberties with her that she didn't welcome.
Taking liberties with facts or a text means altering them freely: The film takes liberties with historical events.
The phrase implies overstepping—treating something or someone with less respect or accuracy than warranted.
Exceed proper limits
- presumeAccept without verification
- encroachAdvance beyond proper limits
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
- overreachExceed one's capacity
infringe · impose · intrude · meddle · interfere · transgress · push boundaries · cross the line
Rude disregard for propriety
- insolenceBold, offensive disrespect
- irreverenceDisregard for what's honored
- floutOpenly defy authority
- disregardWillful lack of attention
contempt · affront · effrontery · cheek · audacity · brazenness · impudence · gall
Aggressive, unwanted targeting
- gropeFeel about blindly
- inappropriateNot suitable or fitting
- uninvitedWithout formal welcome
- unwelcomeNot wanted here
boundary violation · misconduct · advances · improper · exploit · predatory · violation · assault
Perform without preparation
- embellishAdd decorative elements
- adaptModify for new conditions
- interpretExtract or convey meaning
- deviateTurn from course
modify · alter · paraphrase · exaggerate · dramatize · fictionalize · bend the truth · artistic license
overstep
Exceed proper limits
- presumeAccept without verification
- encroachAdvance beyond proper limits
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
overreach · infringe · impose · intrude · meddle · interfere · transgress · push boundaries · cross the line · go too far
impertinence
Rude disregard for propriety
- insolenceBold, offensive disrespect
- irreverenceDisregard for what's honored
- floutOpenly defy authority
disregard · contempt · affront · effrontery · cheek · audacity · brazenness · impudence · gall · nerve
harassment
Aggressive, unwanted targeting
- gropeFeel about blindly
- inappropriateNot suitable or fitting
- uninvitedWithout formal welcome
unwelcome · boundary violation · misconduct · advances · improper · exploit · predatory · violation · assault · molest
improvise
Perform without preparation
deviate · modify · alter · paraphrase · exaggerate · dramatize · fictionalize · bend the truth · artistic license · poetic license
take libertieskeep one's distance
Remain apart from others
know one's place · mind one's own business · stand on ceremony · keep to oneself · hold back
take, takes, taken, taking, taker, takers, liberty, liberties, liberal