carte blanche

carte blanche
    n 1: complete freedom or authority to act
    

Carte blanche \Carte` blanche"\ [F., fr. OF. carte paper +
   -blanc, blanche, white. See 1st {Card}.]
   A blank paper, with a person's signature, etc., at the
   bottom, given to another person, with permission to
   superscribe what conditions he pleases. Hence: Unconditional
   terms; unlimited authority.
   [1913 Webster]
    

CARTE BLANCHE. The signature of an individual or more, on a while. paper, 
with a sufficient space left above it to write a note or other writing. 
     2. In the course of business, it not unfrequently occurs that for the 
sake of convenience, signatures in blank are given with authority to fill 
them up.. These are binding upon the parties. But the blank must be filled 
up by the very person authorized. 6 Mart. L. R. 707. Vide Ch. on Bills, 702 
Penna. R. 200. Vide Blank. 
    

56 Moby Thesaurus words for "carte blanche":
      ample scope, authority, blank check, clearance, copyright,
      discretion, dispensation, elbowroom, favor, field, franchise,
      free course, free hand, free play, free scope, freedom,
      full authority, full power, full scope, full swing, grant,
      immunity, indulgence, latitude, leeway, liberty, license,
      long rope, maneuvering space, margin, no holds barred,
      open mandate, open space, patent, permission, play, power,
      power of attorney, prerogative, privilege, range, right, room,
      rope, sanction, say, say-so, scope, sea room, space, special favor,
      swing, tolerance, warrant, way, wide berth