How to Memorize

be granted a considerable amount of autonomy within an organization

Analysis

When a person, a group, or even a nation is able to make choices and to determine their own future, they are said to have 'autonomy', which is freedom from external control or influence. Your boss might give you autonomy to make decisions about the tasks or projects you are working on; or your department might have the autonomy to spend its time or even its budget on whatever it decides is best, without higher management interfering. On a larger scale, a country which had never been controlled by another country has always had the autonomy to make its own laws and control its own economic future; while a country which is subordinate to a larger centralised body of government - such as the European Union - does not have the autonomy to determine its future. Instead, they have to abide by a decision made collectively by the European Union.

Social Examples (Advance)

1. After the Soviet Union dissolved, many regions once controlled by Russia were granted autonomy and became autonomous republics.
2. Women protested in the capital for bodily autonomy and against oppressive laws.

Professional Examples (Advance)

1. Due to her exemplary track record in the stock market, Helen was given a high degree of autonomy within the organization to trade as she saw fit.
2. Each manager within the company is granted a considerable amount of autonomy. However, the extra responsibility that comes with being handed a free rein can be too much for some, especially those who prefer to work in a more structured environment.

Further Suggestions