English Reference
Idiom idiom

pencil in


To provisionally schedule.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

Let's pencil in a meeting for next Tuesday.

CONTEXTUAL

I am not sure if I am free then, but let's pencil in lunch for now.

COMPLEX

Although the project timeline remains uncertain, the manager decided to pencil in the final review for late December to ensure the team stays on track.


Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    pencil whip

    To approve a document without actually knowing or reviewing what it is that is being approved.

  2. 02

    power of the pencil

    The authority to charge a punter's gambling or other bills to the casino.

Last updated August 10, 2026