laissez faire

/ˈleɪˌzeɪ fɛr/

From the government allowing the business world to set its own course to your babysitter who let you do whatever you wanted — if something is laissez faire, it's "hands off."

Laissez faire, typically pronounced "LAY-zay fair," was originally a French economic term meaning “allow to do,” as in: the government does not interfere in the marketplace. For example, if a product is poorly made, people won't buy it — no need for the government to step in. Parents can take a laissez faire approach — no curfews or set rules, hoping their kids will stay out of trouble by doing the right thing.

Definitions of laissez faire

1. noun

   the doctrine that government should not interfere in commercial affairs
   synonyms: individualism

   type of:

   doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought

   a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school