take liberties

phrase

1

disapproving : to make important changes to something

—usually + with

I think the movie takes too many liberties with the original story.

2

old-fashioned : to be informal and friendly toward someone in a way that is not proper

—usually + with

He was accused of taking liberties with several young women.

Examples of take liberties in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Originally rooted in practicality for farmers who needed more warmth and protection while tilling the fields, designers now take liberties with the coat’s original intent, experimenting with shorter lengths, patterns, and fabrics. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026

The latest season of Netflix’s Monster isn’t the first depiction of Lizzie Borden’s story to take liberties with the historical record. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026

Though book-to-screen adaptations can take liberties, the film’s leading creatives were intent on keeping that loyalty between friends that’s at the heart of the novel intact. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Southern cooks have been known to take liberties with classic recipes from time to time—it’s called creativity, for goodness sake! — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026