give somebody a free pass
US /ɡɪv ˈsʌmˌbɑːdi ə fri pæs/
UK /ɡɪv ˈsʌmˌbɑːdi ə fri pæs/
1.
to allow someone to do something wrong or undesirable without being criticized or punished
:
•
The teacher decided to give him a free pass on the late assignment because he had been sick.
•
We shouldn't give politicians a free pass when they make mistakes.