Phrase Finder

Cart blanche

Posted by Shkval November 06, 2003In reply to Cart blanche posted by Saxon on November 06, 2003

Hi! Can you please tell me how this phrase originated, and what it means? Thanx!

to give someone cart blanche=to give someone absolute freedom (to do something)

Originated from French "carte blanche" (clear form, blank document) - when Person1 gave Person2 clear form where Person2 could write anything.

Replies

  • It's still spelled c-a-r-t-e, even in English pdianek 06/November/03