Click below to listen to the phrase.
Choose the correct definition a, b or c.
a) unhindered
Well done ! That’s the right answer.
To be ’free as a bird’ means to be completely free, without obligation.
French translation
libre comme l’air, libre comme l’oiseau
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Examples in context
‘Free as a bird ? Not in China, where pigeons get anal security checks.
Chinese authorities check 10,000 birds in Beijing for suspicious objects ahead of National Day holiday
With pro-democracy protests raging in Hong Kong, terrorist attacks on the rise in Xinjiang, and crackdowns underway across the country, China’s leadership may be feeling a bit on edge.
So as the ruling Communist party celebrates its National Day holiday on Wednesday – the anniversary of Mao Zedong declaring the People’s Republic of China in 1949 – it has made clear that not even birds are free from scrutiny.
The People’s Daily, a famously staid Communist party mouthpiece, tweeted a picture of a proud-looking dove above the caption : “10,000 pigeons go through anal security check for suspicious objects Tue, ready to be released on National Day on Wed”. It did not explain what the “suspicious objects” might include.
The great pigeon inspection occurred at the Yuetan city sports centre in western Beijing on Tuesday evening, according to a brief report in the official newspaper Legal Evening News. The entire process was videotaped.’
The Guardian, 1st October 2014
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’Utah’s Dres Anderson is free as a bird.
SALT LAKE CITY — Dres Anderson has always been a free spirit, but never more than this year. He maintains the exuberant attitude he brought to the University of Utah five seasons ago. But now he has the space to let it roam.
Teams can no longer gang up on him by sending a cornerback, a safety and maybe another safety to keep him from his appointed rounds.’
Deseret News, 25th September 2014
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Everyday usage
We can say what we choose. We are free as birds.
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