free pass
free pass — 名詞
1. A ticket or card that lets you use buses, trains, or other shared transport, or
免費通行證
無需付費即可搭車或入場的憑證
A ticket or card that lets you use buses, trains, or other shared transport, or visit places like museums, cinemas, and theatres, without paying anything.
Ayesha showed her student free pass at the museum entrance and walked straight in.
Ayesha 在博物館入口出示她的學生免費通行證，就直接走了進去。
free pass + to + [place] for free entry
The city gave every senior citizen a free pass for the local buses all year.
市政府每年為每位長者發放一張市區公車的免費通行證。
Mateo's free pass allowed him to watch every movie at the cinema for one month.
Mateo 的免費通行證讓他在一個月內可以到電影院看任何電影。
Lakan received a free pass to the national park as a gift from his aunt.
Lakan 收到一張國家公園的免費通行證，當作阿姨送他的禮物。
With her free pass, Madison visited three different art galleries in one weekend.
Madison 靠著她的免費通行證，一個週末就參觀了三間不同的美術館。
- complimentary ticket
more specific to a single event rather than ongoing access
- season ticket
typically purchased, not free, and covers a fixed period
- paid ticket
requires payment for entry or travel
文法句型
free pass + to/for + [place or transport]
用法筆記
Commonly used with the prepositions 'to' (indicating the destination) or 'for' (indicating the type of transport or duration).
常見錯誤
2. An official document or permit that allows someone to travel to any place withou
自由通行證
可任意通行且不受攔查的許可文件
An official document or permit that allows someone to travel to any place without being stopped, questioned, or checked by people in authority.
The journalist carried a free pass that let her travel through conflict zones unchecked.
那位記者持有一張自由通行證，讓她在衝突地區通行無阻。
free pass + for unrestricted movement through restricted areas
Diplomatic staff often receive a free pass for travel across closed national borders.
外交人員經常獲得自由通行證，可以在關閉的國界之間旅行。
Inês used her free pass to cross the border without a passport check.
Inês 使用她的自由通行證越過邊境，無須查驗護照。
The ambassador's free pass granted entry to every restricted zone in the region.
大使的自由通行證讓他得以進入該區域內所有管制地帶。
- diplomatic passport
specific to diplomats; more formal
- safe-conduct
historical term for a document guaranteeing safe passage
文法句型
free pass + to/for + [area or region]
用法筆記
This sense is more formal than sense 1 and usually implies access to areas that ordinary people cannot enter. Subject is typically a person in an official role (diplomat, journalist, military officer).
常見錯誤
3. The permission or freedom to say, do, or behave however you want, without being
完全自由
不受批評或懲罰而隨意行事的特權
The permission or freedom to say, do, or behave however you want, without being criticized, punished, or held responsible for your actions.
The new manager got a free pass to reorganize the team without prior approval.
新主管獲得完全自由，可以不須事先批准就改組團隊。
give + [someone] + a free pass + to-infinitive
Amani believes no public official should get a free pass for breaking the law.
Amani 認為任何公職人員都不應在違法時獲得完全自由。
The comedian felt he had a free pass to mock any topic during his show.
那位喜劇演員覺得自己在節目中完全自由，可以拿任何話題開玩笑。
Rania's friends gave her a free pass to choose the restaurant for the group dinner.
Rania 的朋友們讓她完全自由選擇聚餐的餐廳。
Hui argued that wealth should not buy anyone a free pass from social responsibility.
Hui 主張財富不應該讓人有完全自由逃避社會責任。
- carte blanche
from French; more formal and implies full authority to act
- blank cheque
idiomatic; suggests unlimited freedom, especially financial
- immunity
stronger; implies legal or official protection from consequences
- restriction
a rule that limits what you can do
- accountability
the state of being responsible for your actions
文法句型
get/have/give + a free pass
free pass + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Often used in negative or critical contexts, suggesting that someone is avoiding consequences they should face. Frequently appears in political or professional discussions about accountability. Unlike senses 1 and 2, this sense does not refer to a physical document.
常見錯誤
4. In sports, a situation where a player or team is allowed to move forward, score,
保送
體育比賽中未受阻礙即取得優勢的機會
In sports, a situation where a player or team is allowed to move forward, score, or gain an advantage without the usual opposition or obstacles from the other side.
Madison earned a free pass to first base after four balls outside the strike zone.
Madison 在投手投出四顆壞球之後獲得保送上一壘。
baseball context: earn a free pass = walk
Lakan's free pass gave his team a scoring chance in the final minute of the game.
Lakan 的保送讓他的隊伍在比賽最後一分鐘獲得得分的機會。
Yael earned a free pass to first base after the pitcher threw four balls outside the strike zone.
Yael 在投手投出四顆壞球之後獲得保送上一壘。
Liam's fourth free pass of the season loaded the bases and brought the winning run to the plate.
Liam 本季第四次保送讓壘包填滿，並將超前分送上打擊區。
- walk
the standard baseball term; 'free pass' is more informal
- base on balls
the official baseball term
- strikeout
in baseball, when the batter fails to hit the ball
文法句型
get/receive/earn + a free pass
用法筆記
In baseball, 'free pass' is an informal term for a base on balls (a walk) — the batter advances to first base after receiving four pitches outside the strike zone. It is not used in other team sports for an unopposed pass.