blank check
Definition
- Noun:
- A signed check with the amount left unspecified: A financial instrument, such as a bank check, that has been signed by the account holder but does not have the monetary amount filled in, allowing the recipient to write in any sum.
- Complete freedom or authority to act: Unrestricted permission or power to make decisions, spend money, or take action without needing further approval or within very broad limits.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Financial):
- He gave his business partner a blank check to cover the emergency expenses.
- Signing a blank check is risky because someone could write in a very large amount.
- Noun (Metaphorical):
- The board gave the new CEO a blank check to restructure the company.
- The voters did not give the government a blank check to raise taxes.
Advanced Usage
- "to have/write (someone) a blank check": To grant someone very broad authority or resources.
- The research team was essentially written a blank check to pursue their groundbreaking idea.
- "to be given a blank check": To receive unrestricted permission.
- The director was given a blank check for his next film, with no limit on the budget.
Variants and Related Words
- Carte blanche (noun): A synonymous term of French origin meaning "blank document," used identically to the metaphorical sense of "blank check" to mean complete discretionary power.
- She was given carte blanche to decorate the new office.
Synonyms
- Free hand: Unrestricted freedom to act.
- Unlimited authority: Complete power without constraints.
- Discretion: The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation (though often with implied good judgment).
Related Phrases
- A free rein: Similar to "a free hand," meaning the freedom to act without restriction.
- The designer was given free rein to create a new brand identity.
Related Idioms
- A blank slate / Tabula rasa: Refers to something in its original state, without preconceived ideas or markings. This is related conceptually to "blank check" in the sense of something not yet defined, but it emphasizes absence of prior influence rather than granted authority.
- We're approaching this project with a blank slate, open to all ideas.
Noun
-
a check that has been signed but with the amount payable left blank
-
freedom to do as you see fit
-
many have doubts about giving him a free hand to attack
-
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ gần giống
