student asking question

Can you explain of the phrase “be at perfect liberty”?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

To "be at perfect liberty" means free to do something; the ability to make a choice. Hermione is telling Harry that Ron is free to kiss whomever he would like. This is more of a British phrase than it is an American phrase. It's more common in the United States to say "free to choose." Here are some examples of "be at liberty" being used in different sentences: Ex: She is at liberty to go to whatever university she wants. Ex: I am at perfect liberty to choose whatever snack I'd like. Here are the same example sentences but with "free to choose" being used instead: Ex: She is free to choose to go whatever university she wants. Ex: I am free to choose whatever snack I'd like. Either one is fine to use. You will be understood either way. You are at perfect liberty to choose whichever phrase you'd like :) Thanks for the question!

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