INDEX:
1. to let someone do something
2. what you say to ask permission
3. what you say to give permission
4. to be allowed to do something
5. to let something happen, without trying to stop it
6. to let someone do whatever they want
7. to let someone do something that is not usually allowed
8. official permission to do something
9. an official document that gives permission
RELATED WORDS
opposite
↑ FORBID
see also
↑ LEGAL
↑ ILLEGAL
↑ LIMIT
↑ RULE/REGULATION
↑ RULE/REGULATION
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1. to let someone do something
▷ let /let/ [transitive verb not in passive]
▪ We wanted to go camping, but our parents wouldn’t let us.
let somebody do something
▪ Sue doesn’t let her kids eat candy.
▪ Thanks for letting me spend the night at your place.
let somebody in/out
let someone go in or out of a place
▪ You’d better let the dog out.
▷ allow /əˈlaʊ/ [transitive verb]
if someone such as a teacher, official, or parent allows someone to do something, they let them do it :
allow somebody to do something
▪ We do not allow people to smoke anywhere in the building.
▪ Under federal law, Indian nations are allowed to operate casinos on their reservations, with the state’s permission.
allow somebody something
formal allow them to have it
▪ Paul’s bank now allows him £35 a week, and Geoff can withdraw no more than £40.
allow somebody in/out etc
allow someone to go into or out of a place
▪ The manager doesn’t allow children in the bar.
▷ say somebody can do something /ˌseɪ somebody kən ˈduː something/ [verb phrase] especially spoken
to tell someone that you will allow them to do something :
▪ Mom says we can each have two cookies.
▪ I thought you said we could use this room.
▷ agree to /əˈgriː tuː/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to decide to allow someone to do something because you have been persuaded to allow it :
▪ The rebels finally agreed to a ban on terrorist activity.
▪ McCaskill left the California Angels on Saturday and agreed to a three-year contract with the Chicago White Sox worth over $6 million.
▷ permit /pəʳˈmɪt/ [transitive verb]
if a law or a rule permits someone to do something, it allows them to do it :
▪ Photography will not be permitted inside the courtroom.
permit somebody to do something
▪ The law permits foreign investors to own up to 25% of British companies.
permitted [adjective]
officially allowed :
▪ The water contained six times the permitted level of chlorine.
▷ authorize also authorise British /ˈɔːθəraɪz/ [transitive verb]
to officially or legally allow someone to do something, especially by signing an official document :
▪ Who authorized the decision to close the factory?
▪ Among other matters, the city council authorized more funds for additional police officers.
authorize somebody to do something
▪ Only Congress can authorize the President to declare war.
▷ have no objection /hæv ˌnəʊ əbˈdʒekʃ ə n/ [verb phrase not in progressive]
to not care whether someone does something or not, especially when they have asked for your permission or approval :
▪ As long as your parents have no objection, you’re very welcome to come on vacation with us.
have no objection to somebody doing something
▪ They said they had no objection to us leaving a little early.
▷ give your consent /ˌgɪv jɔːʳ kənˈsent/ [verb phrase]
to give final permission to allow something important to happen, which will affect yourself, your family, or your property :
▪ Parents are required to give their written consent give permission in writing before a child can be asked to participate in an interview.
give your consent to something
▪ In September, he gave Dr. Arning his consent to conduct the experiment.
▷ give somebody/something the go-ahead also give somebody/something the green light /ˌgɪv somebody/something ðə ˈgəʊ əhed, ˌgɪv somebody/something ðə ˌgriːn ˈlaɪt/ [verb phrase]
to give official permission for a planned activity to begin :
▪ We’re still waiting for the finance committee to give us the green light.
▪ Councillors in Darlington gave the hotel development project the go-ahead in September.
give the go-ahead for something
▪ We believe the nuclear programme should be given the go-ahead for further development.
2. what you say to ask permission
▷ can I /ˈkæn aɪ/:
▪ Can I borrow your pen for a minute?
▪ Hey Dad, can I stay at Sara’s house tonight?
▪ Can I go to the bathroom?
▷ may I /ˈmeɪ aɪ/
use this to ask someone politely if you can do something :
▪ May I ask you a question, Mr Simmonds?
▪ May I see your ticket, please?
▷ do you mind if/would you mind if/is it all right if /ˌduː juː ˈmaɪnd ɪf, ˌwʊd juː ˈmaɪnd ɪf, ˌɪz ɪt ɔːl ˈraɪt ɪf/
use this when you are worried that what you want to do will annoy or interrupt someone else :
▪ Is it all right if I smoke?
▪ Do you mind if I open the window?
▪ Would you mind if I made a call?
3. what you say to give permission
▷ go ahead /ˌgəʊ əˈhed/:
▪ ‘Can I watch TV?’ ‘Sure, go ahead.’
go right ahead
▪ ‘Is it OK if I eat the last apple?’ ‘Go right ahead.’
go ahead and do something
▪ If you want to take a shower, just go ahead and take one.
▷ be my guest /ˌbiː maɪ ˈgest/
when someone asks you if they can use something, especially something that belongs to you :
▪ ‘Is it all right if I call my parents?’ ‘Be my guest.’
▪ ‘Do you mind if I sit here?’ ‘Be my guest.’
▷ feel free /ˌfiːl ˈfriː/
when you want someone to do what they want without feeling that they need to ask you first :
▪ ‘I hope you don’t mind if I use your phone.’ ‘Of course not. Feel free.’
feel free to do something
▪ Please feel free to stop me and ask questions whenever you like.
▷ help yourself /ˌhelp jɔːʳˈself/
when you want someone to take what they want, especially food or drink :
▪ ‘Is there any beer left?’ ‘Sure, help yourself.’
help yourself to something
▪ Help yourself to coffee and cake.
▷ of course/of course you can /əv ˈkɔːʳs, əv ˈkɔːʳs juː kæn/ spoken
use this as a friendly way of telling someone they can do something :
▪ ‘Can I take some more casserole?’ ‘Of course!’
▪ ‘Do you mind of I sit here?’ ‘Of course you can.’
4. to be allowed to do something
▷ can /kən, strong kæn/ [modal verb]
▪ Now that you’re seventeen, you can learn to drive.
▪ You can’t park here.
▪ Ask Jan if you can borrow a cup or two of milk.
▷ be allowed /biː əˈlaʊd/ [verb phrase]
to be allowed to do something, especially because a rule or law says you can do it :
be allowed to do something
▪ Are we allowed to use calculators on the test?
something is allowed
▪ Lanterns and heaters are allowed on Forest Service lands if they are fueled by propane.
be allowed in/out/off/on etc
be allowed to go in, out, off etc
▪ Several international relief organizations had been allowed into the area to determine what help was needed.
▷ be permitted /biː pəʳˈmɪtə̇d/ [verb phrase] formal
to be allowed to do something by an official order, rule, or law :
be permitted to do something
▪ Residents were not even permitted to fish in the reservoir.
something is permitted
▪ Smoking is only permitted in the public lounge.
▷ may /meɪ/ [modal verb] formal
to be allowed to do something :
▪ Educational institutions may videotape copyrighted television programs, but the tape must be destroyed after 45 days.
▷ be free to do something /biː ˌfriː tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
to be allowed to do something when you want or in the way that you want :
▪ Workers are free to choose from a wide variety of insurance plans.
▪ The winners of the competition are free to spend their prize money in any way they choose.
5. to let something happen, without trying to stop it
▷ let/allow /let, əˈlaʊ/ [transitive verb]
to let someone do something, or let something happen, especially something bad that you should try to stop. Allow is more formal than let :
let somebody/something do something
▪ You shouldn’t let your husband treat you like that.
▪ Don’t let the dog get into the flowerbed.
▪ It took all my willpower to remain cool and tell him not to let it happen again.
allow something to do something
▪ The government has allowed the present economic crisis to get completely out of control.
▪ The hedge should not be allowed to grow higher than six feet.
▷ not stand in somebody’s way /nɒt ˌstænd ɪn somebodyˈs ˈweɪ/ [verb phrase]
to let someone do something that they have chosen to do, although you could stop them, especially because they want to do it very much :
▪ If you really want to become a lawyer, I’m not going to stand in your way.
▪ Sally knew that modelling would be her career, and she was going to make sure that nothing stood in her way.
▷ unchecked /ˌʌnˈtʃekt◂/ [adverb]
if something bad or unpleasant happens unchecked, it is allowed to continue to happen because no one is controlling it when they should be :
▪ A fire broke out in the warehouse and raged unchecked for over two hours.
▪ Over the last decade, the government has allowed the spread of poverty and unemployment to continue completely unchecked.
▷ charter /ˈtʃɑːʳtəʳ/ [countable noun] especially British, informal
a law or official decision which seems to give someone the right to do something that most people think is morally wrong and should not be allowed :
charter for somebody to do something
▪ This housing law would be a charter for dishonest landlords to cheat their tenants.
thieves’/tax dodgers’ etc charter
▪ The police decision to reduce their burglary squad has been described as ‘a thieves’ charter'.
6. to let someone do whatever they want
▷ give somebody the freedom to do something /ˌgɪv somebody ðə ˌfriːdəm tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
▪ The children at the school are given complete freedom to study whatever subjects they want.
▪ The major argument for capitalism is that it gives people freedom to make their own choices about what they do.
▷ give somebody free rein/give somebody a free hand /ˌgɪv somebody ˌfriː ˈreɪn, ˌgɪv somebody ə ˌfriː ˈhænd/ [verb phrase]
if someone who employs you gives you free rein to plan, make, or operate something, they let you decide what to do and how to do it :
▪ We’re giving the medical center a free hand as to how it spends the money.
▪ The new chairman has been given a completely free hand to make whatever changes he thinks necessary.
▷ give somebody carte blanche /ˌgɪv somebody ˌkɑːʳt ˈblɑːnʃ/ [verb phrase]
if someone in authority gives someone carte blanche, they give them complete power over what is done and how it is done - use this especially when you do not approve of the power they are given or the decisions they make :
▪ The General seems to have been given carte blanche to attack whatever civilian targets he wants.
▪ The Supreme Court’s decision practically gives the police carte blanche to order everyone out when they stop a car.
▷ give somebody a blank cheque British /give somebody a blank check American /ˌgɪv somebody ə ˌblæŋk ˈtʃek/ [verb phrase]
to let someone have as much money as they need to do something - use this especially about government or business activity :
▪ It no longer makes sense to give the Pentagon a blank check when funding for domestic programs is being reduced.
▪ We cannot let our democracy become a matter of simply giving a bunch of politicians a blank cheque to govern us every five years.
▷ give somebody the run of /ˌgɪv somebody ðə ˈrʌn ɒv/ [verb phrase]
to allow someone to stay in or use a place and do what they want there :
▪ Gary and Kaye were often out at work till late evening, but gave us the run of the house.
▪ He was given the run of Shaw’s library while writing his biography.
7. to let someone do something that is not usually allowed
▷ bend the rules /ˌbend ðə ˈruːlz/ [verb phrase]
to let someone do something that is slightly different from what the rules allow, especially when you do not officially tell anyone about it :
▪ The state government was willing to bend the rules where necessary in order to create more jobs.
▪ I’ll try and get the housing department to bend the rules for us.
▷ make an exception /ˌmeɪk ən ɪkˈsepʃ ə n/ [verb phrase]
to allow someone to do something that is not usually allowed :
▪ I’ll make an exception this time, but next time you hand in an essay late I won’t accept it.
▷ concession /kənˈseʃ ə n/ [countable noun] British
a special right that a particular group of people are allowed to have, for example, by the government or by their employer :
▪ Under the previous administration, rich landowners were given generous tax concessions.
▪ Pensioners and disabled people get special concessions on buses and trains.
▷ excuse /ɪkˈskjuːz/ [transitive verb]
to allow someone not to have to go to school, work etc, for example because they are ill :
be excused from something
▪ Can I be excused from swimming today? I’ve got a cold.
▪ Kinney asked to be excused from his duties on the board.
excuse somebody from something
▪ I’ll try to get them to excuse me from the meeting.
▷ exempt /ɪgˈzempt/ [transitive verb]
if you exempt someone, you give them special permission not to have to do something that they and other people are normally expected to do :
exempt somebody from something
▪ The new law exempts people who earn less than $8000 a year from paying any taxes.
▪ My father was exempted from military service on the grounds of ill health.
▷ waive /weɪv/ [transitive verb]
to officially say that a rule or a legal punishment can be ignored, especially because in this particular situation it is not important or useful to keep to it :
▪ The court decided to waive her fine as it was her first offence.
▪ The industry asked the Federal Communications Commission to waive a rule that limits the amount of power used to send a data transmission over a telephone line.
8. official permission to do something
▷ permission /pəʳˈmɪʃ ə n/ [uncountable noun]
when someone officially allows you to do something :
permission to do something
▪ I had to get official permission to visit the prison.
with/without somebody’s permission
▪ We’re not allowed to camp here without the farmer’s permission.
▪ The changes to the book were all made with the author’s permission.
▷ authorization /ˌɔːθəraɪˈzeɪʃ ə nǁˌɔːθ ə rə-/ [uncountable noun]
official permission to do something, especially written permission, from someone in a position of authority :
▪ I must get authorization from your bank before I can accept a cheque for over fifty pounds.
authorization to do something
▪ As a result of growing world tensions, the army requested authorization to establish another base at Battery Cove.
▷ consent /kənˈsent/ [uncountable noun]
formal permission you give for something important that will affect you, your family, or your property :
without somebody’s consent
▪ The young couple were married without their parents’ consent.
give your consent
▪ The city authorities have given their consent to leases on two buildings in the centre of Moscow.
written consent
▪ Before a woman can have an abortion, she needs to have written consent from two doctors.
▷ clearance /ˈklɪ ə rəns/ [uncountable noun]
official permission given by someone in a position of authority, after checking that what someone wants to do is legal, safe, or likely to be successful :
▪ We expect that we’ll have clearance from the Justice Department for the buyout in the first quarter of the year.
clearance to do something
▪ The pilot requested clearance to land at Narita Airport.
▷ somebody’s say-so / somebodyˈs ˈseɪ-səʊ/ [noun phrase] informal
permission from someone, especially someone important :
without somebody’s say-so
▪ Kathleen evidently ran things around the office and nothing could be done without her say-so.
on somebody’s say-so
▪ Tell him he can use the car, but only on my say-so.
▷ licence British /license American /ˈlaɪs ə ns/ [singular/uncountable noun]
official permission to do something, which is often used as a reason to do something wrong, especially something that will harm other people :
license to do something
▪ The Secret Service seems to think they have a license to tap anyone’s phone in the interests of ‘national security.’
▪ Some manufacturers see the current labelling regulations as licence to mislead shoppers.
9. an official document that gives permission
▷ permit /ˈpɜːmɪtǁˈpɜːrmɪt, pərˈmɪt/ [countable noun]
an official document that gives you permission to do something, for example permission to work somewhere or visit somewhere :
▪ You can’t park here unless you have a permit.
work permit
a permit to work in a particular country
▪ Many spouses of diplomats are unable to pursue their careers because they lack U.S. work permits.
▷ licence British /license American /ˈlaɪs ə ns/ [countable/uncountable noun]
an official document that allows you to do something, for example to drive a car or own a gun :
▪ Do you have a licence for that gun?
driving licence British /driver’s license
American
▪ Rebecca’s disability prevented her from getting a driver’s license.
▷ warrant /ˈwɒrəntǁˈwɔː-, ˈwɑː-/ [countable noun]
a document giving the police permission to take someone in order to ask them questions, or to search inside a building :
▪ A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a suspected terrorist.
search warrant
▪ You don’t have to let the police in unless they have a search warrant.