give a blank check to (one)
give a blank check to (one)
1. Literally, to give one a check with the amount left blank, so that it can be written out for the desired total. Mom gave a blank check to me so I could fill it out when I bought my school supplies.
2. By extension, to give one 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 CEO gave a blank check to the manager to increase salaries and restructure his department. After the fifth murder, the mayor gave a blank check to the city's police officers to use whatever resources they needed in order to find the serial killer before he struck again.
See also: blank, check, give
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- give (one) a blank check
- give a blank check
- a blank check
- blank check
- a blank cheque
- cheque
- rubber check
- rubber cheque
- gravity check
- check up on (someone or something)