27 Idioms for Freedom: Expressions of Liberty

Freedom is a fundamental human right that we cherish and celebrate in various ways.

In this listicle, we will explore idioms for freedom, unraveling their meanings, and showcasing how they reflect our desire for liberty and independence.

From “let freedom ring” to “born free,” these idioms paint a vivid picture of the value we place on personal and societal freedom.

What is an idiom for freedom?

Idioms are phrases or expressions that convey meanings beyond their literal interpretation.

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Created by Dr. Julia Rossi

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1 / 20

What is a simile?

A) A comparison using "like" or "as".

B) A direct comparison without using "like" or "as".

C) An exaggerated statement.

D) A figure of speech that gives human qualities to non-human things.

2 / 20

Identify the simile in the following sentence: “She swims like a fish.”

A) She swims

B) like a fish

C) swims like

D) a fish

3 / 20

What is a metaphor?

A) A comparison that uses "like" or "as".

B) A direct comparison that does not use "like" or "as".

C) An expression that means something other than the literal meanings of its words.

D) A word that sounds like its meaning.

4 / 20

Which of the following is a metaphor?

A) He is as brave as a lion.

B) Her tears were a river flowing down her cheeks.

C) She runs like the wind.

D) He barked orders at his team.

5 / 20

What is an idiom?

A) A literal expression.

B) A comparison using "like" or "as".

C) A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words.

D) A direct comparison without using "like" or "as".

6 / 20

What does the idiom “break the ice” mean?

A) To literally break ice.

B) To start a conversation in a social setting.

C) To cool down a situation.

D) To freeze something quickly.

7 / 20

What is an adjective?

A) A word that describes or modifies a noun.

B) A word that shows action.

C) A word that replaces a noun.

D) A word that connects words together.

8 / 20

Choose the adjective in the following sentence: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”

A) quick, brown

B) jumps

C) over

D) dog

9 / 20

What is an abbreviation?

A) A shortened form of a word or phrase.

B) A long form of a word.

C) A word used to describe another word.

D) A word used in place of a noun.

10 / 20

What does the abbreviation “e.g.” stand for?

A) End game

B) Exempli gratia (for example)

C) Ergo (therefore)

Estimated guess

11 / 20

What is a verb?

A) A word that describes a noun.

B) A word that indicates action, occurrence, or existence.

C) A word that connects two parts of a sentence.

D) A word that modifies a verb.

12 / 20

Identify the verb in the following sentence: “The cat sleeps on the sofa.”

A) The

B) cat

C) sleeps

D) sofa

13 / 20

“Out of the frying pan into the fire” is an example of:

A) A simile.

B) A metaphor.

C) An idiom.

D) An adjective.

14 / 20

Which of the following is an adjective?

A) Quickly

B) Beautiful

C) Run

D) Under

15 / 20

The abbreviation “NASA” stands for:

A) National Aeronautics and Space Administration

B) North American Space Agency

C) National Association of Space Astronauts

D) None of the above

16 / 20

Choose the metaphor in the following sentence: “Time is a thief.”

A) Time

B) is

C) a thief

D) None of the above

17 / 20

What does the idiom “hit the books” mean?

A) To physically hit books.

B) To start studying.

C) To write a book.

D) To organize books on a shelf.

18 / 20

Which of the following sentences contains a simile?

A) He is a shining star.

B) She danced like there was no tomorrow.

C) Life is a rollercoaster.

D) They moved mountains to be together.

19 / 20

“LOL” is an abbreviation for:

A) Lots Of Love

B) Little Old Lady

C) Long Overdue Library-book

D) Laugh Out Loud

20 / 20

Identify the verb in this sentence: “They whispered secrets into the night.”

A) They

B) secrets

C) whispered

D) night

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Idioms for freedom often symbolize our aspirations for personal autonomy and societal progress.

Let’s dive into a list of idioms related to freedom, along with their meanings and usage:

Freedom is like a soaring eagle, unbound by chains and able to reach the highest heights. If you’re interested in more comparisons to describe freedom, you can visit this link: Similes for freedom. And for a variety of metaphors related to freedom, you can explore this link: Metaphors for freedom.

Idioms for Freedom

1. Break free

Meaning: To escape from confinement or restrictions.
In a Sentence: After years of captivity, the captive finally managed to break free.

2. Set someone/something free

Meaning: To release or liberate someone or something from constraints.
In a Sentence: The rescuers set the trapped animals free in their natural habitat.

3. Let freedom ring

Meaning: To celebrate and promote freedom and equality.
In a Sentence: Martin Luther King Jr. urged the nation to let freedom ring during his iconic speech.

4. Live and let live

Meaning: To allow others to live their lives as they choose, without interference.
In a Sentence: In a diverse society, it’s important to embrace the principle of live and let live.

5. Spread one’s wings

Meaning: To pursue new opportunities and explore the world.
In a Sentence: After graduation, she was eager to spread her wings and travel.

6. Freedom of the press

Meaning: The right to publish and report news without censorship or government control.
In a Sentence: A strong democracy values and protects freedom of the press.

7. Free as a bird

Meaning: To be completely unrestricted and unrestrained.
In a Sentence: After retirement, he felt free as a bird with no more work-related responsibilities.

8. Freedom isn’t free

Meaning: The idea that preserving and defending freedom often comes at a cost.
In a Sentence: Many brave soldiers have sacrificed their lives because freedom isn’t free.

9. Free spirit

Meaning: Someone who lives according to their own desires and values, unencumbered by societal norms.
In a Sentence: She’s a true free spirit, always following her heart and pursuing her passions.

10. Home of the brave

Meaning: Referring to a country known for its courageous citizens.
In a Sentence: The United States, often called the “home of the brave,” has a history of valiant individuals who fought for freedom.

11. Free rein

Meaning: To have complete freedom and control over a situation.
In a Sentence: The manager gave the creative team free rein to come up with innovative ideas.

12. Break the chains

Meaning: To escape from a situation of oppression or captivity.
In a Sentence: The civil rights movement aimed to break the chains of racial discrimination.

13. Freedom fighter

Meaning: Someone who actively works to achieve political or social freedom.
In a Sentence: Mahatma Gandhi was a renowned freedom fighter who led India to independence.

14. Born free

Meaning: To be inherently independent and unburdened by societal constraints.
In a Sentence: Some people have a natural-born spirit of adventure, feeling born free from an early age.

15. Free will

Meaning: The ability to make choices and decisions independently.
In a Sentence: We believe in the importance of free will and personal autonomy.

16. Free speech

Meaning: The right to express one’s opinions and ideas without censorship.
In a Sentence: Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of democratic societies.

17. Free at last

Meaning: To finally achieve freedom or liberation after a long struggle.
In a Sentence: The activists rejoiced, exclaiming, “Free at last!” after their demands were met.

18. Free ride

Meaning: To benefit from something without putting in any effort or making a contribution.
In a Sentence: Some people try to get a free ride by taking credit for others’ work.

19. Free trade

Meaning: The exchange of goods and services between countries with minimal trade barriers.
In a Sentence: Free trade agreements aim to promote economic cooperation and growth.

20. Freedom trail

Meaning: A historical path or route that highlights significant events in the struggle for freedom.
In a Sentence: The Freedom Trail in Boston takes visitors on a journey through key moments in American history.

21. Freedom of choice

Meaning: The ability to make decisions based on personal preferences.
In a Sentence: In a free society, individuals have the freedom of choice when it comes to their lifestyles.

22. Free hand

Meaning: Having complete authority and autonomy to make decisions.
In a Sentence: The project manager was given a free hand to lead the team as they saw fit.

23. Freedom of expression

Meaning: The right to express oneself freely through speech, art, or other forms of communication.
In a Sentence: Freedom of expression is essential for fostering creativity and dialogue.

24. Free and clear

Meaning: To be without debts, obligations, or encumbrances.
In a Sentence: After paying off the mortgage, they finally owned their home free and clear.

25. Freedom to roam

Meaning: The liberty to travel and explore without restrictions.
In a Sentence: In some countries, people enjoy the freedom to roam across vast, open landscapes.

26. Free enterprise

Meaning: An economic system characterized by private ownership and minimal government interference.
In a Sentence: Free enterprise encourages innovation and competition in the marketplace.

27. Freedom of assembly

Meaning: The right to gather and associate with others for peaceful purposes.
In a Sentence: Citizens exercise their freedom of assembly by participating in peaceful protests and rallies.

Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article

Quiz 1:

Question: What does the idiom “Live and let live” mean?

1. To live life recklessly.
2. To allow others to live their lives as they choose, without interference.
3. To live in harmony with nature.

Answer: 2. To allow others to live their lives as they choose, without interference.

Quiz 2:

Question: What does the phrase “Born free” imply?

1. To be born without any responsibilities.
2. To be inherently independent and unburdened by societal constraints.
3. To be born into a wealthy family.

Answer: 2. To be inherently independent and unburdened by societal constraints.

Quiz 3:

Question: What does “Break the chains” mean?

1. To break physical objects.
2. To escape from a situation of oppression or captivity.
3. To break promises and commitments.

Answer: 2. To escape from a situation of oppression or captivity.

Quiz 4:

Question: What is the meaning of the idiom “Free at last”?

1. To be free from all responsibilities.
2. To finally achieve freedom or liberation after a long struggle.
3. To be free from social obligations.

Answer: 2. To finally achieve freedom or liberation after a long struggle.

Quiz 5:

Question: When might someone be described as a “Free spirit”?

1. When they are always serious and focused.
2. When they live according to their own desires and values, unencumbered by societal norms.
3. When they are dedicated to their job.

Answer: 2. When they live according to their own desires and values, unencumbered by societal norms.

Quiz 6:

Question: What does the expression “Freedom isn’t free” signify?

1. Freedom always comes without any effort.
2. The idea that preserving and defending freedom often comes at a cost.
3. Freedom should be given for free.

Answer: 2. The idea that preserving and defending freedom often comes at a cost.

Quiz 7:

Question: What does the idiom “Let freedom ring” encourage?

1. To silence freedom.
2. To celebrate and promote freedom and equality.
3. To restrict freedom.

Answer: 2. To celebrate and promote freedom and equality.

Quiz 8:

Question: What does “Spread one’s wings” imply?

1. To travel by airplane.
2. To pursue new opportunities and explore the world.
3. To stay in one place.

Answer: 2. To pursue new opportunities and explore the world.

Quiz 9:

Question: When might you use the phrase “Freedom of the press”?

1. To express the desire for more newspapers.
2. To refer to the right to publish and report news without censorship or government control.
3. To discuss the cost of newspapers.

Answer: 2. To refer to the right to publish and report news without censorship or government control.

Quiz 10:

Question: What is the meaning of the idiom “Free trade”?

1. To exchange goods without any payment.
2. The exchange of goods and services between countries with minimal trade barriers.
3. To trade freely without any regulations.

Answer: 2. The exchange of goods and services between countries with minimal trade barriers.

Conclusion

These idioms for freedom reflect our deep-seated desire for personal liberty, autonomy, and societal progress. Whether it’s breaking free from constraints or cherishing the principles of democracy, these expressions capture the essence of what it means to be free.