free pass
free pass — noun
1. a ticket or document that allows you to use transport services, or to enter a th
a ticket or document that allows you to use transport services, or to enter a theatre, museum, or cinema without paying any money.
The art museum gave every student a free pass for National Museum Day.
give + someone + a free pass (free entry)
Lin used her free pass to ride the city buses all week without a ticket.
use + a free pass
A free pass for the local swimming pool came with the new apartment.
Every child in the class got a free pass to the science centre.
- complimentary ticket
more formal; typically for a single event rather than ongoing access
- free entry
describes the situation rather than the document itself
- paid ticket
a ticket you must buy
文法句型
have/get + a free pass
give + someone + a free pass
用法筆記
Often given by schools, employers, or local councils as a benefit or promotion. A free pass may be valid for one visit or for a fixed period.
常見錯誤
2. an official document that permits someone to travel to any destination without b
an official document that permits someone to travel to any destination without being stopped, checked, or limited by border controls or other restrictions.
The diplomat carried a free pass to cross every border in the region.
carry + a free pass + to cross [border]
Aid workers received a free pass to travel into the disaster zone during the emergency.
receive a free pass + to travel into [area]
The journalist's free pass let him travel between the two countries without applying for visas.
Aylin's free pass let her enter every port without customs checks.
- diplomatic pass
specifically for diplomats
- travel permit
broader; may have restrictions unlike a free pass
- travel ban
an order that prevents travel
文法句型
have + a free pass
a free pass + to + [place]
用法筆記
Typically issued by government authorities or international organisations for specific purposes such as diplomacy, humanitarian aid, or journalism. This sense is more formal and narrower than sense 1.
3. a situation in which you have total permission to do whatever you want without a
a situation in which you have total permission to do whatever you want without anyone stopping you, asking for permission, or setting limits.
The new manager got a free pass to redesign the office layout as she wanted.
give + someone + a free pass + to + verb
The Watanabe family saw their son's gap year as a free pass to explore countries.
A free pass to try new ideas is rare in a company with strict rules.
The night-shift nurse got a free pass to rearrange a cupboard no one used.
- carte blanche
French-origin term meaning the same thing; more formal and less common
- blank cheque
figurative; emphasises unlimited resources rather than freedom to act
- restriction
a rule that limits what you can do
- prohibition
an official ban on something
文法句型
have + a free pass + to + verb
give + someone + a free pass + to + verb
用法筆記
This sense is figurative and less official than senses 1 and 2. It describes a grant of autonomy rather than a physical document.
常見錯誤
free pass — idiom
1. permission or an unspoken agreement that someone will not be criticised, punishe
permission or an unspoken agreement that someone will not be criticised, punished, or held responsible for something they have done or said, even if it would normally be considered wrong.
The young actor got a free pass from the critics after his award-winning performance.
get + a free pass + from [someone]
Nobody should get a free pass for making offensive comments during a public meeting.
get a free pass + for + gerund
The youngest Watanabe daughter got a free pass on her mistake since she was new.
In this company, senior managers get a free pass while junior staff face punishment.
- get off the hook
informal; suggests escaping a specific unpleasant situation
- a free ride
emphasises benefiting without effort, not specifically about avoiding criticism
- face the music
idiom meaning to accept the consequences of your actions
文法句型
get + a free pass
give + someone + a free pass
a free pass + for + [noun/gerund]
用法筆記
Often used in a critical or disapproving tone to point out unfair treatment. The phrase implies that someone is being treated more leniently than others would be in the same situation.