blank check
Total spending freedom
A blank check is a signed check with the amount left unfilled, allowing the recipient to write in any sum.
The phrase almost always appears figuratively, meaning unlimited authority or resources granted without restrictions: The board gave the CEO a blank check to restructure the company.
To write someone a blank check is to give them carte blanche.
Independent decision-making capacity
- independenceFreedom from external control
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- leewayPermissible margin of freedom
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
flexibility · unrestricted · unlimited · unbounded · unfettered · unrestrained · open-ended · no strings attached
Formal permission granted
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- approvalFavorable opinion given
- endorsementFormal expression of support
empowerment · discretion · consent · license · permission · free rein · go-ahead · green light
Person owed payment
- payerOne who settles debts
- signatureHandwritten name for verification
- amountTotal quantity present
- fundsAvailable financial resources
banking · account · deposit · endorsement · transaction · clearing · date · memo
Self-assurance or trust
- faithTrust without proof
- relianceState of needing support
- assuranceFirm promise or certainty
- credenceAcceptance as true
belief · fidelity · loyalty · commitment · dependability · integrity · good faith · honor system
Legal or financial obligation
- exposureState of being unprotected
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- recklessnessCareless disregard for danger
vulnerability · uncapped · unaccountable · moral hazard · overreach · abuse · exploitation · misuse
Risky new undertaking
- investmentDeploying capital for returns
- potentialLatent capacity for development
- expansionIncrease in scope
- entrepreneurshipCreating and managing ventures
startup · backing · capitalization · seed money · angel investor · speculation · underwriting · financing
autonomy
Independent decision-making capacity
- independenceFreedom from external control
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- leewayPermissible margin of freedom
liberty · flexibility · unrestricted · unlimited · unbounded · unfettered · unrestrained · open-ended · no strings attached · self-determination
authorization
Formal permission granted
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- approvalFavorable opinion given
endorsement · empowerment · discretion · consent · license · permission · free rein · go-ahead · green light · unilateral
payee
Person owed payment
funds · banking · account · deposit · endorsement · transaction · clearing · date · memo · negotiable
confidence
Self-assurance or trust
credence · belief · fidelity · loyalty · commitment · dependability · integrity · good faith · honor system · word of honor
liability
Legal or financial obligation
- exposureState of being unprotected
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
recklessness · vulnerability · uncapped · unaccountable · moral hazard · overreach · abuse · exploitation · misuse · profligacy
venture
Risky new undertaking
- investmentDeploying capital for returns
- potentialLatent capacity for development
- expansionIncrease in scope
entrepreneurship · startup · backing · capitalization · seed money · angel investor · speculation · underwriting · financing · patron
- checkspaycheck, preflight, final review, checkup, checkbox
- WWI causesassassination, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Sarajevo, militarism, alliances
- negotiable instrumentsbill of exchange, promissory note, promissory notes, bank draft, cheque
- unmarked thingsunmarked car, plain wrapper, plain paper, white label, unmarked trail
- money termscash, credit, debt, income, wages
- money slangbucks, dough, moolah, cheddar, cash
blank checkspending cap
Maximum permitted expenditure
tight budget · hard limit · budget cap · earmarked funds · conditional approval
blank checkmicromanagement
Excessive supervisory control
oversight · close supervision · checks and balances · prior authorization · short leash
check, blank, checked, checking, checks, checker, checklist, blanks, blanked