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verb VERB + FREE struggle to, try to She struggled to free herself from his grip. | manage to PREP. from They succeeded in freeing their friends from prison. | of He had finally been freed of his responsibilities. PHRASES be freed on bail The court ruled that he should be freed on bail of $50,000., adj., adv. not controlled by rules VERBS be, feel, seem | become | remain | leave sb The government wants to leave companies free to make their own decisions. ADV. completely, entirely, quite, totally The students are entirely free to choose their own courses. | fairly, reasonably, relatively PREP. from The organization wants to remain free from government control. not in prison; not restricted/trapped VERBS be, roam animals roaming free across the plains | break, get, pull, walk The ship broke free from its moorings. They tied him up but he managed to get free. She managed to pull free of her attacker. She walked free from jail. | remain | cut sb/sth, let sb/sth, pull sb/sth, set sb/sth He was trapped by his leg, but his rescuers cut him free. They let their prisoner free. The birds were set free. ADV. completely, entirely, totally costing nothing VERBS be, come This full-colour poster comes free with the magazine. ADV. absolutely, completely, entirely, totally PHRASES for free We might be able to get some plants for free. | free of charge We will send you our booklet free of charge. free from/of sth: without sth VERBS be | become | remain, stay | keep sth We've managed to keep the garden free of weeds this year. ADV. completely, entirely, totally At last he's totally free from pain. | relatively not being used VERBS be, look, seem | become | keep sth The hospital needs to keep some beds free for emergencies. ADV. completely not busy VERBS be Are you free this afternoon? | keep sth We try and keep Sundays free. ADV. completely, entirely, totally | fairly, pretty, reasonably
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
3
general::
free
something that is free does not cost you any money:
• Parking is free after 6 pm. • ‘How much is it to get into the concert?’ ‘Oh, I think it’s free.’ • They were giving away free tickets for the concert. • I’m saving these tokens to get a free poster.
for nothing/for free
without having to pay for something that you would normally have to pay for:
• He offered to fix the car for nothing. • Fans were allowed into the stadium for nothing as a way of celebrating. • Children under five can see the show for free.
at no extra cost
if a shop or company provides an additional service at no extra cost, they do it without asking you for any more money:
• The shop will install the cooker for you at no extra cost. • Tours of the city are available from the hotel at no extra cost.
complimentary
[ only before noun ] free – use this about things that a company, theatre, hotel etc gives people:
• Karen’s sister works at the New York Ballet and she’s managed to get us some complimentary tickets. • Honeymooners receive a complimentary bottle of champagne in their hotel room.
be on the house
if food or drinks are on the house, the owner of a bar or restaurant says you do not have to pay for them:
• These drinks are on the house.
gratis
especially written without having to pay for something:
• Users will be able to listen to tracks (= songs ) gratis.
Longman-Thesaurus
5
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with FREE, Also see BREATHE EASY (FREELY); FEEL FREE; FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY-FREE; FOR FREE; GET OFF (SCOT-FREE); HOME FREE; MAKE FREE WITH; OF ONE'S OWN ACCORD (FREE WILL).
American Heritage Idioms