pencil whip
To approve a document without actually knowing or reviewing what it is that is being approved.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Don't just pencil whip the report without reading it.”
“The manager was in such a hurry that he decided to pencil whip the safety inspection forms.”
“Despite the serious risks involved, the committee chose to pencil whip the proposal rather than conduct the necessary due diligence.”
- 01
fair crack of the whip
Let's have an equitable attempt, match, or process. Used as an appeal for reasonableness.
- 02
pencil in
To provisionally schedule.
- 03
power of the pencil
The authority to charge a punter's gambling or other bills to the casino.
- 04
smart as a whip
Very intelligent.
- 05
whip hand
An advantage over another; the dominant position.
- 06
whip into shape
To exert considerable effort to change something or someone into a desired state.
- 07
whip the cat
To attempt to get work or money from someone who is too weak or poor to provide it.
- 08
whip through
To do something extremely quickly and perfunctorily.
Last updated August 10, 2026