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- make free with
make free with
make free with someone
to exploit someone; to take advantage of someone. You shouldn't make free with your employees. They are liable to take you to court. He was making free with his secretary, having her do his private business.
make free with something
to use something freely; to exploit something. You can make free with the hot water. We have a huge tank. Sally is making free with the sugar I was saving for breakfast cereal.
make free with something
to use something a lot, even when it does not belong to you I won't have him in my house, making free with my whiskey.
make free with
Take liberties with, treat very familiarly, as in That reporter makes free with the truth, or It's best not to make free with one's employees. This term was first recorded in 1714.