The phrase "acquire autonomy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of gaining independence or self-governance, often in personal, social, or political contexts.
Example: "After years of struggle, the region was finally able to acquire autonomy from the central government."
Alternatives: "gain independence" or "achieve self-governance."
In an alternate reality, Whitman places hand on heart and takes the blame: "I was on HP's board of directors when we made the decision to acquire Autonomy.
One suit we will not see: litigation by Hewlett-Packard shareholders against the directors for making a bad decision to acquire Autonomy.
H.P.'s deal to acquire Autonomy was announced in the summer of 2011, when Léo Apotheker was leading the technology giant.
Apotheker's plan was to spin off the hardware arm, but shareholders rebelled and the German was replaced by Meg Whitman, a month before his deal to acquire Autonomy had completed.
"At the time Hewlett-Packard agreed in principle to acquire Autonomy, defendants were looking to unwind the deal in light of the accounting irregularities that plagued Autonomy's financial statements," the lawsuit stated.
The deal to acquire Autonomy was conceived by Leo Apotheker, the then chief executive of HP, who planned to sell its personal computer division in order to concentrate on servers and software, a strategy in which the British firm was to play a leading role.
Of the money owing, $9m was eventually written off after HP acquired Autonomy.
HP acquired Autonomy for $11bn in 2011 but subsequently wrote down its value.
After H.P. acquired Autonomy last year, the companies' financial officials met to discuss how Autonomy's accounting practices needed to change.
By acquiring Autonomy, based in Britain, Mr. Apotheker would sharply refocus the company on business services and products.
HP acquired Autonomy in 2011 in a $11bn£6.7bnbn) deal but wrote down the value of the Cambridge-based former FTSE 100 company by $5.5bn the following year.
