Explain the meaning of the phrase "taking liberties".

This is what I have always known it to mean:" to be overfamiliar or overpresumptuous".

Were you accused of such an act? Or did you just hear it and wonder... HMMM?!

It means to take the piss,over step the mark,to do something malicous which is outside the established convention.

Taking liberties can also be defined as; Taking advantage of someone's good nature i.e. helping yourself to their things. Examples: 1) A friend leaves their car on your drive whilst they go on holiday and leave the car keys with you. You decide, without their prior agreement, to use their car - you have taken the liberty of using their car without asking them first. 2) You agree to feed your neighbour's cat whilest they are on holiday - while you're in your neighbour's house you decide to use their tumble-dryer to dry your laundry and help yourself to their biscuits while you're there. 3) You have a temporary accommodation problem and your friend lets you stay at their house whilest they are away, they tell you to "make yourself at home". While you're there you borrow their clothes, use their laptop, rearrange their books and records and throw a party. The point is not whether ultimately the other person would mind - it is the fact that you have not asked for their permission. You have just taken advantage of the situation and them.