blank check

noun

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Definition of blank check

1 : a signed check with the amount unspecified

2 : complete freedom of action or control : carte blanche

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Recent Examples of blank check from the Web

But for some hawks in Congress, anything short of a blank check constitutes legislative meddling.

— elizabeth goitein, Fortune, "Congress Is About to Decide Whether to Give Trump More or Less Power to Expand Wars," 4 June 2018
For too long, Congress has given presidents a blank check to wage war.

— byron tau, WSJ, "Senators Release Bill to Update Law Underpinning War on Terrorism," 16 Apr. 2018
County Councilman Rick McKinney said the majority of the council supports the expansion but isn't going to hand over a blank check.

— chris sikich, Indianapolis Star, "Hamilton County delays $24M expansion of judicial center after cost proves higher than anticipated," 22 May 2018
The purse, valued at $60, contained $80 cash, gift cards and a blank check.

— bob dohr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Oak Creek police report: Police chase serial shoplifter through Woodman's parking lot," 10 Jan. 2018
Police found two large expanding portfolios containing hundreds of blank check forms in Blalock's car, according to court records.

— evan macdonald, cleveland.com, "Georgia man recruited homeless men for fraudulent check-cashing scheme, Fairview Park police say," 23 Mar. 2018
The Browns have more than $100 million in cap space and could place a blank check in front of Cousins and tell him to name the price.

— andrew beaton, WSJ, "The Quarterback Whose Decision Will Upend the NFL," 9 Mar. 2018
Casados said the clause allowing the company to raise rates with 30 day's notice is not a blank check from the city to Waste Management.

— jaimy jones, Houston Chronicle, "Pasadena created 35 public works jobs in case talks with Waste Management break down," 1 Mar. 2018
Theft, Sandhurst Drive: Someone stole a blank check from a car parked in a driveway, forged the victim's signature and cashed the check for $600.

— bob sandrick, cleveland.com, "Cell phone stolen from house; drunk driver flips Ford Ranger on Ohio 237: Brook Park police blotter," 22 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'blank check.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of blank check

1793

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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BLANK CHECK Defined for English Language Learners

blank check

noun

Definition of blank check for English Language Learners

: a signed check that does not have the amount of money written on it yet
: complete control or freedom

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See words that rhyme with blank check Spanish Central: Translation of blank check

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