license

Definition

  • noun: an official document, card, etc., that gives you permission to do, use, or have something
  • noun: permission to act
  • verb: to give official permission to (someone or something) to do or use something
  • verb: to issue a license to
  • often used to refer specifically to a driver's license
  • synonyms: lehrfreiheit, ok, academic freedom

Examples

  • She regards her illness as a 'license to treat' other people badly. [=she thinks that because she is ill she can treat other people badly]

  • He says that if the new law is passed it will give these companies 'a license to print money'.

  • The gun was not 'licensed' to him. [=he did not have formal permission to own the gun]

Movie quotes

  • (..) Enjoy your clams, cocksuckers. Pay them. Get the old bombardier a drink on the house. - What do you got for me? - Uniform clipped him for suspended license. However, he's a subject of an open investigation... More than one. He's one of Costello's. We're getting a warrant. (..)
    2006 The Departed
  • (..) It's a fucking result. Yeah, but cui bono? Who benefits? Cui gives a shit? It's got a frigging bow on it. I think you are a cop, my son. - Where's your license? - What license? I don't see none. There's no such thing as a license, of course. But you, you definitely need to have fucking one. (..)
    2006 The Departed