a blank cheque

a blank cheque

1. Literally, a cheque 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 cheque 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 cheque to increase salaries and restructure his department. After the fifth murder, the city's police officers were given a blank cheque to use whatever resources they needed in order to find the serial killer before he struck again.
See also: blank, cheque
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a blank cheque

COMMON
1. If you give someone a blank cheque to do something, you give them complete authority to do what they think is best in a difficult situation. Note: `Cheque' is spelled `check' in American English. De Klerk had, in a sense, been given a blank cheque to negotiate the new South Africa. The president was effectively given a blank check to commit the nation to war. Note: This expression is used mainly in talking about politics.
2. If you describe an amount of money as a blank cheque, you mean it is unlimited. Note: `Cheque' is spelled `check' in American English. We are not prepared to write a blank cheque for companies that have run into trouble through poor management. Note: This expression is sometimes used literally to mean that someone gives another person a cheque without an amount of money written on it.
See also: blank, cheque
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a blank cheque

unlimited scope, especially to spend money.
A blank cheque is literally one in which the amount of money to be paid has not been filled in by the payer.
See also: blank, cheque
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a blank ˈcheque

(British English) (American English a blank ˈcheck) permission to act as you like (especially to spend money) in a particular task or situation: Just because I asked you to speak on my behalf, that didn’t mean you had a blank cheque to promise anything you liked. She was given a blank cheque and told to hire the best singers she could.
See also: blank, cheque
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • cheque
  • a blank check
  • blank check
  • 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 periodicals archive
He had been home all afternoon when the conmen knocked on his door and coerced him into signing a blank cheque for repair work to a communal driveway which was estimated to cost PS160.
'We never thought Ken would be targeted like this in his own home'
Councillor Jim Paterson said: "That would essentially be writing a blank cheque. What if a philanthropist comes along with a donation and we end up paying a quarter of a million?" Councillor John McNaughtan added: "I agree with a lot of the sentiment about the importance of the building to Paisley.
Request to match Coats fund refused; Council chiefs pledge PS50K but reject extra cash calls
TD Jonathan O'Brien claimed the National Surplus Bill would be used to write a blank cheque to the banks.
Sinn Fein slams rainy day fund
Dubai: A businessman accused his brother of exploiting his sickness and making him sign a blank cheque before landing in jail for 3 years following his conviction in a Dh40 million bounced cheque case.
Businessman says brother landed him in Dh40m bounced cheque case
In the matter of blank cheques, by endorsing a blank cheque with signature and handing it over to the beneficiary, the drawer of the cheque has effectively granted the beneficiary unqualified authority to fill in the amount.
Filing an appeal against judgment
WELSH Conservatives have challenged the Labour Party in Alyn and Deeside to rule out giving a blank cheque to Carwyn Jones for an M4 relief road.
Tory candidate 'won't back blank cheque for M4 relief road' project
Reluctant to give a blank cheque to PM SANDRA Greatrex doesn't tell us what service she did the country which wasn't properly appreciated.
Reluctant to give a blank [...]; Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: letters@birminghammail.co.uk Twitter: @birminghammail Facebook: facebook.com/birminghammail Post: Birmingham Mail, Floor 6, Fort Dunlop, Fort Parkway, B24 9FF
Speaking at a launch event in Hackney, Ms Lucas said of the Opposition: "Not only has Labour given the Tories a blank cheque for a hard Brexit, they've given the Tories a lift to the bank and helped them cash it in."
Greens pledge second referendum
Question: I have a blank cheque on which the date and amount are not written.
Signed blank guarantee cheque: What to do with it
It is the prosecution's case that Malik took a blank cheque out of a locked desk drawer while Mr Zia was off work for the day.
Charity boss 'claimed for rugby tickets and cat litter'
Meanwhile, William Hague is waving a blank cheque around to give to the Ukrainian people.
Charity should begin at home; Letters
Mr Cameron said: "There has never been a blank cheque for HS2, but I'm passionately in favour of this project and I think we need to respond to the criticisms that have been made."
Cameron in campaign to rescue high-speed rail
Summary: Be aware of legal issues before signing a blank cheque
Read before you sign
The reality is that the influential Committee he chairs, the Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change (DECC), has been busy pumping out faithful pro-nuclear propaganda which favours, in effect, nuclear power being given a blank cheque for construction costs from the Government.
Blank cheques for nuclear power; LETTERS
Signing a blank cheque without mentioning the amount, the date or the name of the beneficiary does not safeguard the issuer from being incriminated if at the time the cheque is submitted to the bank for clearance it contains all details
Cheques and Balances