pencil in
/ˈpensl ɪn/
Meaning
To "pencil in" means to schedule a tentative appointment or meeting, with the understanding that the time or date might change later. It is commonly used in business-casual contexts when plans are not yet finalized. The phrase comes from the idea of writing something in pencil so it can easily be erased or changed.
Examples
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Let's pencil in a quick catch-up for Thursday afternoon, but I'll let you know if things change.
Let's pencil in a quick catch-up for Thursday afternoon, but I'll let you know if things change.
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I've penciled you in for 10:00 AM next Tuesday, assuming the client doesn't reschedule.
I've penciled you in for 10:00 AM next Tuesday, assuming the client doesn't reschedule.
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Can we pencil in the project kickoff for next week, or do we need to wait for budget approval?
Can we pencil in the project kickoff for next week, or do we need to wait for budget approval?
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She penciled in a tentative lunch meeting with the marketing director to discuss the new campaign.
She penciled in a tentative lunch meeting with the marketing director to discuss the new campaign.
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We should probably pencil in some time for a dry run before the actual presentation to the board.
We should probably pencil in some time for a dry run before the actual presentation to the board.
Common Mistakes
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✗ Let's pen in a meeting for next Monday.
✓ Let's pencil in a meeting for next Monday.
The idiom is specifically "pencil in," referring to the erasable nature of pencil lead. "Pen in" is not used this way.
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✗ I penciled in the meeting to the calendar.
✓ I penciled the meeting in on the calendar.
Pencil in is a separable phrasal verb. When referring to a calendar, use the preposition "on" instead of "to."
Related Expressions
Practice
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Let's ___ a meeting for next Friday and confirm it later.
💡 To schedule tentatively.
Show answer
pencil in
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She managed to ___ the client for a brief call on Wednesday morning.
💡 To make a tentative appointment.
Show answer
pencil in