pencil whip

English

Pronunciation

Audio (AU) (file)

Verb

pencil whip (third-person singular simple present pencil whips, present participle pencil whipping, simple past and past participle pencil whipped)

(idiomatic) To approve a document without actually knowing or reviewing what it is that is being approved.
(idiomatic) To complete a form, record, or document without having performed the implied work or without supporting data or evidence.
Knowing the auditors were coming in just a week, we chose to pencil whip the quarterly inventory forms for the last year.

Usage notes

This term is popular among military personnel and auditors. The term in British and US nautical circles is "gundeck", -ed, -ing.

Synonyms

rubber stamp (meaning 1)