a blank check

a blank check

1. Literally, a check presented to someone with the amount left blank, so that it can be written out for the desired total. Mom, can you give me a blank check so I can fill it out when I buy my school supplies?
2. By extension, the freedom or permission to spend as much money or use as much resources as needed in pursuit of a desire or goal. The company was having a difficult time retaining good employees so the manager was given a blank check to increase salaries and restructure his department. After the fifth murder, the city's police officers were given a blank check to use whatever resources they needed in order to find the serial killer before he struck again.
See also: blank, check
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

blank check

freedom or permission to act as one wishes or thinks necessary. He's been given a blank check with regard to reorganizing the workforce. The new manager has been given no detailed instructions about how to train the staff. He just has a blank check.
See also: blank, check
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

blank check

Unrestricted authority, a free hand, as in I'll support most of the chairman's agenda, but I'm not ready to give him a blank check for the company's future . Literally this term signifies a bank check that is signed by the drawer but does not indicate the amount of money, which is filled in by the person to whom it is given. [Late 1800s]
See also: blank, check
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • blank check
  • cheque
  • a blank cheque
  • give a blank check to (one)
  • give (one) a blank check
  • give a blank check
  • fill in the blank
  • fill in the blank(s)
  • Fill in the blanks
  • blank
References in classic literature
I really cannot justify it to my conscience to carry about my person any such loose and reckless document as a blank check. There's a total disregard of the first claims of prudence and economy implied in this small slip of paper which is nothing less than a flat contradiction of the principles that have governed my whole life.
Law and the Lady
Then the Banker endorsed a blank check (which he crossed), And changed his loose silver for notes.
Hunting of the Snark
Stellar is a blank check company, also commonly referred to as a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, or SPAC, formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.
Sponsors of Greek Blank Check Company Stellar Acquisition III Add Funds, Extend Deadline
Foreign taxpayers should note however that Swallows is not a blank check for not filing returns.
Tax Court strikes down timely filing requirement for foreign taxpayers
As former National Security Adviser Robert McFarlane put it, Iran/contra was nothing less than an exercise in "absolute stealth." By averting its eyes, Congress in effect gave the executive a blank check.
Overdrawn blank checks