carte blanche

n., pl., cartes blanches (kärt bläNsh', kärts blänch', blănch').
Unrestricted power to act at one's own discretion; unconditional authority: gave the contractor carte blanche to modernize the kitchen.

[French : carte, ticket + blanche, blank.]

(kart blanch, kart blansh)

noun
Unrestricted authority.

Etymology
From French carte blanche (blank card or blank document)

Usage
"Stewart says he has been given a clean slate and carte blanche by the ADT's board 'to do my thing'." — Carolyn Collins; New ADT Direction Paying Off; The Australian (Sydney); Jun 30, 2000.

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Full authority to take action. For example, an employee may be given carte blanche to enter into contracts with suppliers. The term also refers to the ability to fill in any amount on a blank check. For example, a father may sign a blank check and give it to his son to fill in when the son makes a major purchase. Carte Blanche is also the brand name of a widely used travel and entertainment card which requires that all balances be paid in full every month.

IN BRIEF: Unrestricted power to act on one's own.

The guests had carte blanche when ordering at that restaurant.