carte blanche

noun

ˈkärt-ˈblänch  -ˈbläⁿsh 

plural cartes blanches ˈkärt(s)-ˈblänch  -ˈbläⁿsh 

: full discretionary (see discretion sense 1a) power

was given carte blanche to furnish the house

Did you know?

Carte blanche is much like a blank check. In French, carte means "document" and blanche means "blank," so the phrase means "blank document." English retained that literal meaning: a carte blanche was a blank document signed in advance by one party and given to the other with permission to fill in conditions later. Much like blank check, carte blanche also took on the extended meaning "complete freedom."

Examples of carte blanche in a Sentence

We gave the decorator carte blanche to furnish the house.

Recent Examples on the Web

The cartels were given carte blanche access to the United States through the open-border system. —Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025

Such a lineup is unknown territory for the festival, but Blanc was adamant not to deviate from the carte blanche principle for selections. —Lily Templeton, WWD, 29 Jan. 2025

Americans are far from willing to give Mr. Trump carte blanche. —Jeremy W. Peters, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025

But that does not accord the president carte blanche. —The Editors, National Review, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, blank document

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined above

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