take the liberty

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take the liberty (third-person singular simple present takes the liberty, present participle taking the liberty, simple past took the liberty, past participle taken the liberty)

1. (idiomatic) To act on one's own authority, without asking for permission.

   I took the liberty of adding your name to the list.

   • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Episode 12, The Cyclops

     —What about Dignam? says Bob Doran. Who's talking about ...?

     —Dead! says Alf. He's no more dead than you are.

     —Maybe so, says Joe. They took the liberty of burying him this morning anyhow.

Typically used as take the liberty of doing something.

• take liberties