Brother in France adopting English at home gets total latitude? (4,4)
I believe the answer is:
free rein
'total latitude?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both states of affairs as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'brother in france adopting english at home' is the wordplay.
'brother in france' becomes 'frere' (I've seen this in another clue).
'adopting' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are taken on or adopted).
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'at home' becomes 'in' ('I'm in' can mean 'I'm at home').
'frere' going around 'e' is 'freere'.
'freere'+'in'='FREE REIN'
'gets' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for free rein that I've seen before include "'The removal of constraints (4,4)'" , "Liberty over actions" , "Carte blanche" , "Unlimited scope for action" , "Give it to remove all constraints" .)