methods , systems , and computer program products for allowing a user to perform a free - form action to initiate an activity associated with a user interface element are provided . for example , a computer - implemented method may include providing a user interface comprising a user interface element for display , detecting a free - form action performed by a user , determining a free - form definition corresponding to the detected free - form action where the determined free - form definition is one of a plurality of stored definitions , and performing an activity associated with the user interface element where the activity corresponds to the determined free - form definition .