The spelling of the word "free pass" is fairly straightforward. The first word, "free," is spelled with a long "e" sound followed by the letters "f-r-e-e." The second word, "pass," is spelled with a short "a" sound followed by the letters "p-a-s-s." The IPA phonetic transcription for this word would be /fri pæs/, indicating the correct pronunciation of each individual sound in the word. A free pass is typically a complimentary ticket or item given to someone, often as a courtesy or reward.
A free pass is a noun phrase that refers to an exemption or permission granted to someone to avoid restrictions, rules, or consequences that others would typically face in a particular situation. It represents an opportunity to bypass or be excused from duties, obligations, or penalties. The term "free pass" is often used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone is allowed to escape punishment or criticism for their actions or behavior.
In its literal sense, a free pass can relate to various contexts. For instance, it can refer to a complimentary ticket or permit that grants entry or admission without charge, such as a free pass to a concert or a museum. It can also pertain to an authorization or exemption granted to someone in the form of a license or document, giving them special privileges or immunities not generally available to others.
Metaphorically, free pass implies an undeserved advantage or leniency given to someone, allowing them to avoid consequences or scrutiny for their actions, mistakes, or misconduct. This could occur due to factors like favoritism, influence, or bias. For example, a powerful politician may be perceived as receiving a free pass from the law enforcement or judiciary system, avoiding penalties or prosecution despite clear evidence of wrongdoing.
Overall, the term free pass encompasses both literal and metaphorical meanings, reflecting situations where someone is granted exemption, privilege, or leniency, either justifiably or otherwise.
The term "free pass" originated from a combination of the words "free" and "pass".
The word "free" traces back to Old English, where it was spelled as "freo" or "fri". It can be traced to the Germanic language family, specifically the Old High German word "fri" and the Gothic word "frija", both meaning "beloved" or "to love". Over time, the meaning of "free" evolved to refer to "not in bondage", "not under the control of another", or "not restricted".
The word "pass" comes from the Old French word "passer", meaning "to go by" or "to cross". This word was derived from the Latin word "passare", which also meant "to pass or go across".