ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pencil whip

idiom
Meaning

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


Examples
SIMPLE

Don't just pencil whip the report without reading it.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager was in such a hurry that he decided to pencil whip the safety inspection forms.

COMPLEX

Despite the serious risks involved, the committee chose to pencil whip the proposal rather than conduct the necessary due diligence.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    fair crack of the whip

    Let's have an equitable attempt, match, or process. Used as an appeal for reasonableness.

  2. 02

    pencil in

    To provisionally schedule.

  3. 03

    power of the pencil

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

  4. 04

    smart as a whip

    Very intelligent.

  5. 05

    whip hand

    An advantage over another; the dominant position.

  6. 06

    whip into shape

    To exert considerable effort to change something or someone into a desired state.

  7. 07

    whip the cat

    To attempt to get work or money from someone who is too weak or poor to provide it.

  8. 08

    whip through

    To do something extremely quickly and perfunctorily.

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