walk free
Leave court innocent
Walk free means to escape legal punishment or conviction, especially when guilt seemed likely or established.
A defendant walks free when charges are dropped, a jury acquits, or a case collapses: The suspect walked free after the key witness recanted.
The phrase implies someone avoided consequences they perhaps deserved—justice thwarted rather than served.
- exonerateClear of wrongdoing
- off the hookReleased from responsibility
- escapeFlight from captivity
- slip throughPass undetected or unobstructed
- acquitFind not liable
release · vindicate · open · technicality · loophole · reasonable doubt · charges dropped · absolve · unpunished · miscarriage of justice · get away with · exculpate · liberate · pardon · clemency · amnesty · emancipation · clear