takes liberties
Acts too freely
To take liberties is to act with excessive familiarity or freedom, often in ways that presume permission not granted.
Someone might take liberties with a text by altering it loosely: The adaptation takes liberties with the novel.
Taking liberties with a person suggests inappropriate physical or social forwardness: He was taking liberties with her at the party.
The phrase implies overstepping bounds—behaving as though one has rights or access that haven't been extended.
- presumptionBelief held without proof
- overreachExceed one's capacity
- crosses the lineViolates accepted boundaries
- reinterpretationNew understanding of something
- exploitationSelfish use of others
oversteps bounds · improvisation · embellishment · invade · audacity · adaptation · transgression · impertinence · encroach · innovation · bends the rules · fast and loose · manipulation · unfairness · disrespect · impudence · intrude · leer