“Feel free” is an idiom meaning “go ahead” or “it’s okay”. It is often used informally to indicate no objection. Idioms can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand.
The phrase “feel free” usually means go ahead, as you wish, or it is okay to do so. For example, if one person asks if she can use another person’s phone, the person who answers might say, “Feel free.” The sentence is an idiom, which means that it is an expression that is not interpreted literally but figuratively. Since it is not meant to be translated literally, most people use it in casual talk rather than formal speech or writing.
There are many ways to tell someone it’s okay to do something. A person may simply use words like “okay”, “okay” or “yes” to indicate that he has no objection to that particular act. In many cases, however, people choose to respond in ways other than the obvious. In that case, a person may choose a phrase like “feel free” rather than just saying “ok” or “yes.” Regardless, the words and phrases generally mean the same thing: the speaker has no objection.
Sometimes examples can make it easier for a person to understand what an idiom is. For example, if an individual asks a colleague if she can use something on her desk, the colleague might respond with the phrase “feel free.” This basically means that the responding colleague has no objection to the requester’s request and should go ahead and use it.
Another example of where a person might use this phrase involves a situation where a person has a problem and would like the understanding ear of a friend or colleague to listen and help them talk about it. In that case, a willing listener can tell the person to feel free to call them when they need someone to talk to. This basically lets the person know that she has someone to turn to when she needs this kind of help or attention.
The important thing for a person to remember when using idioms is that the person they are talking to may not always understand what they are saying. Usually, a person can depend on the person they are talking to to determine if the listener is also from the same region. This is due to the fact that idioms are generally common to particular areas. If an individual comes from a foreign country, he may have more difficulty understanding idioms.
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