free agent
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who acts independently and makes their own choices: A "free agent" is someone not bound by the obligations or control of others, free to act according to their own will and judgment.
- (Sports) A professional player whose contract has expired: In sports, a "free agent" is an athlete who is not under contract with any team and is therefore eligible to sign with any club.
Usage Examples
- Noun (General):
- After quitting her corporate job, she became a free agent, taking on freelance projects.
- He operates as a free agent, unaffiliated with any political party.
- Noun (Sports):
- The star quarterback became a free agent and was pursued by several teams.
- His goal is to play well this season and enter free agency next year.
Advanced Usage
- "To be/act like a free agent": To behave with complete independence, often implying a lack of commitment to a group or cause.
- In the negotiations, he acted like a free agent, making decisions without consulting his partners.
- "To test free agency": (Sports) To enter the period when one's contract expires to explore offers from other teams.
- The player decided to test free agency to see his market value.
Variants and Related Words
- Free agency (n): The state or condition of being a free agent. In sports, it is the period when players without contracts can negotiate with teams.
- He entered free agency after his contract ended.
- Free-agent (adj): Used attributively to describe something related to a free agent.
- The free-agent market is very competitive this season.
Synonyms
- Independent: Not influenced or controlled by others.
- Unattached: Not connected or associated with any particular group.
- (Sports) Uncontracted player: A player not bound by a contract.
Related Phrases
- To go free agent: (Informal) To choose to become independent or, in sports, to become available for other teams.
- After her startup was acquired, she decided to go free agent for a while.
- Free agent signing: (Sports) The act of a team securing a player who was a free agent.
- The team's most important move was the free agent signing of the veteran pitcher.
Related Idioms
- A free agent in life: Someone who lives life entirely on their own terms, without conventional constraints.
- He traveled the world with no permanent home, a true free agent in life.
Noun
- someone acting freely or even irresponsibly
- (sports) a professional athlete who is free to sign a contract to play for any team