carte blanche / charter
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carte blanche
In a figurative sense, permission or justification to do something without restrictions or fear of negative consequences. It often refers to behavior that would normally not be accepted.
Der Erfolg des letzten Projekts war für ihn kein Freibrief, die neuen Regeln zu ignorieren.
The success of the last project was not carte blanche for him to ignore the new rules.
The word is made up of 'frei' (free) and 'Brief' (letter/document). So it literally describes a 'letter that makes free.' This origin explains both the historical meaning of a document that grants privileges and the figurative meaning of permission.
Seine Immunität ist kein Freibrief für gesetzeswidriges Verhalten.
His immunity is not carte blanche for unlawful behavior.
In the figurative meaning, 'Freibrief' (carte blanche) is often used in the construction 'ein Freibrief für etwas sein' (to be carte blanche for something). The 'something' is usually a negative behavior or action.
Ein hohes Gehalt sollte kein Freibrief für Arroganz sein.
A high salary should not be carte blanche for arrogance.
The figurative meaning is much more common today than the historical one. If the word appears in modern usage without a historical context such as 'Mittelalter' (Middle Ages) or 'König' (king), it almost always means unrestricted permission in a figurative sense.
Die vage Formulierung im Vertrag war für die Firma ein Freibrief, die Kosten zu erhöhen.
The vague wording in the contract was carte blanche for the company to increase the costs.
The word is often used in negative contexts to express that something is precisely not unrestricted permission. A very typical formulation is therefore 'Das ist kein Freibrief, um ... zu tun' (That is not carte blanche to do ...).
Mein Vertrauen ist kein Freibrief, meine Privatsphäre zu verletzen.
My trust is not carte blanche to violate my privacy.
ban / prohibition
'das Verbot' and 'der Freibrief' form a clear contrast. A 'Verbot' sets a limit: you are not allowed to do something. In a figurative sense, a 'Freibrief' means that someone believes they may, or is allowed to, do something without restrictions. 'Freibrief' often sounds critical, because it suggests that behavior is being allowed which is actually problematic. 'Verbot' fits official rules. 'Freibrief' is more appropriate when someone is given too much freedom or a justification for bad behavior.
Die Entschuldigung ist kein Freibrief, andere ständig zu unterbrechen.
The apology is not carte blanche to keep interrupting others.
Wegen der Gefahr gibt es im Gebäude ein Verbot für Rauchen.
Because of the danger, smoking is banned in the building.