Carte-blanche
unconditional authority; full discretionary power: The government appears to have given the military carte blanche in Afghanistan.
She was given carte blanche to decorate her room as she wished, perhaps an unwise decision on the part of her parents.
Synonyms: license, free rein, blank check, free hand.
Cards. a hand having no face card but with a special scoring value, as in piquet.
Historical Examples
Mrs Langley, therefore, gave her carte-blanche to eat what she pleased.
The Pirate City R.M. Ballantyne
I wish you’d give me carte-blanche for all my patients, and all their wants.’
North and South Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
I gave Charley carte-blanche to ask any of my Richmond acquaintances—and all for what?
Alone Marion Harland
“I give you carte-blanche as regards expenses,” said her ladyship with decision.
The Argosy Various
Her dainty drawing-rooms were curiously conventional—the natural result of carte-blanche to a fashionable upholsterer.
The Twelfth Hour Ada Leverson
You have drawn on me with carte-blanche liberties and spent fortunes like a prodigal!
The Law of Hemlock Mountain Hugh Lundsford
They recognized the faith that had commissioned her to speak as trustee, and to act with carte-blanche powers.
The Law of Hemlock Mountain Hugh Lundsford
noun (pl) cartes blanches (ˈkɑːts ˈblɑːntʃ; French) (kart blɑ̃ʃ)
complete discretion or authority: the government gave their negotiator carte blanche
(cards) a piquet hand containing no court cards: scoring ten points
n.
1707, blank paper, French, literally “white paper” (see card (n.) + blank (adj.)); figurative sense of “full discretionary power” is from 1766.
carte blanche [(kahrt blahnsh, kahrt blahnch)]
To be given “carte blanche” is to receive the power and authority to do as one wishes: “The prime minister herself did not take any action on the refugee issue but gave her minister of the interior carte blanche to deal with the situation.” Carte blanche is French for “blank card,” meaning one that can be filled in as a person wishes.
Read Also:
- Carte-du-jour
menu (def 1). noun (pl) cartes du jour (ˈkɑːts də ˈʒʊə; duː; French) (kart dy ʒur) a menu listing dishes available on a particular day
- Cartel
an international syndicate, combine, or trust formed especially to regulate prices and output in some field of business. a coalition of political or special-interest groups having a common cause, as to encourage the passage of a certain law. a written agreement between belligerents, especially for the exchange of prisoners. a written challenge to a duel. […]
- Cartelist
a member of a cartel or an advocate of cartelization. Also, cartelistic [kahr-tl-is-tik, -te-lis-] /ˌkɑr tlˈɪs tɪk, -tɛˈlɪs-/ (Show IPA). of, relating to, or characteristic of a cartel. characterized by or advocating cartelization.
- Cartelization
to organize into a business cartel. verb to form or be formed into a cartel
- Cartelize
to organize into a business cartel. verb to form or be formed into a cartel