# write one's own ticket

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/write-ones-own-ticket
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be empowered to choose whichever job, financial arrangement, or course of action one desires.

## Examples

- With those skills, you can write your own ticket.
- After winning the national championship, the young athlete could write her own ticket regarding which team she wanted to join.
- Because his research revolutionized the entire industry, the scientist found himself in the rare position of being able to write his own ticket at any university in the world.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.