The idiom "pencilled in" means to make a tentative or provisional arrangement for something, such as a meeting, an appointment, or a plan. It implies that the deal is not final or confirmed and can be changed or canceled.

In short:

• "Pencilled in" means to make a tentative or provisional arrangement for something.

What Does "Pencilled In" Mean?

The idiom "pencilled in" is often used when scheduling or planning something with someone else. It indicates that the person who says it has made a tentative or provisional arrangement for something but is not fully committed to it yet. They may have other priorities or obligations that could interfere with the contract or want to wait for more information or confirmation before making a final decision.

Some related expressions that have a similar meaning to "pencilled in" are:

• To put something on hold
• To keep something as an option
• To tentatively schedule something
• To pencil something into one's diary/calendar

Where Does "Pencilled In" Come From?

The origin of the idiom "pencilled in" is related to the use of a pencil for writing. The pencil can be easily erased. Therefore, when someone writes something with a pencil, they imply that they are unsure about it and may want to change or erase it later.

Historical Example

The earliest recorded use of the idiom "pencilled in" dates back to the late 19th century. According to the some sources, one of the first examples of its use can be found in an 1893 letter by the British novelist George Gissing:

"I have pencilled in some corrections which perhaps you will not object to make."

10 Examples of "Pencilled In" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use this idiom in different sentences:

• Way to go! He pencilled in some details on the sketch before painting it.
• She pencilled in her hair and eyebrows to make them look fuller. It looks good!
• He buckled down and pencilled in some notes on the book's margin as he read it.
• Oh, snap. They pencilled in a trip to Paris but had to cancel it due to the pandemic.
• No mean feat. He pencilled in a few jokes in his speech to make it more entertaining.
• No diggity. She pencilled in her name on the list, hoping there would be a spot for her.
• She pencilled him to go downtown on Friday night but was unsure if she liked him enough.
• They pencilled in a budget for the project, but they knew it would need some adjustments later.
• I have pencilled in a meeting with you next Tuesday, but no worries, I can reschedule it if you prefer.
• They pencilled in a visit to their grandparents for next month, but they were waiting for their flight confirmation.

Examples of "Pencilled In" in Pop Culture

Here are some examples of how this idiom has appeared in various forms of popular culture:

• In the movie "The Devil Wears Prada," Miranda Priestly, the editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine, often tells her assistant Andy to "pencil" in her appointments and cancel them at the last minute.
• In the TV show "Friends," Chandler Bing, one of the main characters, is a sarcastic and witty guy who often jokes about his life. In one episode, he says, "I'm not great at advice. Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment? Some cheese? I've got them pencilled in for later."
• In the book "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter, the protagonist, finds a diary belonging to Tom Riddle, a former Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry student. The journal has a date "pencilled in" on every page but no words. Harry writes on one of the pages and discovers that the diary can communicate with him.
• In the comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes" by Bill Watterson, Calvin, a six-year-old boy, and Hobbes, his stuffed tiger, have many adventures together. In one strip, Calvin says, "I've got my whole life pencilled in on this one sheet of paper. See? This is now. The rest is all homework."

Other Ways to Say "Pencilled In"

Here are some synonyms or related expressions that you can use aside from this idiom:

• Lined up loosely
• Slotted in flexibly
• Booked tentatively
• Set up temporarily
• Planned conditionally
• Arranged preliminarily
• Scheduled provisionally
• Sketched out subject to change
• Jotted down subject to availability
• Marked down subject to confirmation

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Pencilled In"

Here are some frequently asked questions about this idiom:

• What does "pencilled in" mean?

The idiom "pencilled in" means to make a tentative or provisional arrangement for something, such as a meeting, an appointment, or a plan. It implies that the deal is not final or confirmed and can be changed or canceled.

• What is the origin of the phrase "pencilled in"?

The origin of the idiom "pencilled in" is related to the use of a pencil for writing. The pencil can be easily erased. Therefore, when someone writes something with a pencil, they are implying that they are unsure about it and may want to change or erase it later.

• What is the difference between "pencilled in" and "penned in"?

"Pencilled in" means to make a tentative or provisional arrangement that can be changed or canceled later. "Penned in" means to confine or restrict someone or something within narrow limits or boundaries.

• Is "pencilled in" formal or informal?
  

"Pencilled in" is an informal expression that is usually used in spoken or casual written communication. It is not very appropriate for formal or academic contexts.

• What is the opposite of "pencilled in"?

The opposite of "pencilled in" is "confirmed," "finalized," "settled," or "locked in." These expressions mean to make a definite or permanent arrangement that cannot be changed or cancelled.

• What are some other idioms related to "pencilled in"?

Some other idioms related to "pencilled in" are "to put something on hold," "to play it by ear," "to keep one's options open," and "to hedge one's bets."

• How do you pronounce "pencilled in"?

You can pronounce "pencilled in" as /ˈpensəld ɪn/ in British English or /ˈpensəld ɪn/ in American English.

• How do you spell "pencilled in"?

You can spell "pencilled in" as "pencilled in" in British English or "penciled in" in American English. Both spellings are acceptable and understandable.

• How do you say "pencilled in" in other languages?

Spanish: Apuntado a lápiz
French: Noté au crayon
German: Mit Bleistift eingetragen
Italian: Segnato a matita

• What are some antonyms of "pencilled in"?

Some antonyms of "pencilled in" are erased, canceled, scrapped, abandoned, and discarded.

Final Thoughts About "Pencilled In"

"Pencilled in" is an informal idiom that means to make a tentative or provisional arrangement that can be changed or canceled later. It comes from the idea of writing something in pencil, which can be easily erased or modified.

Here are some key points to remember about this expression:

• It can have different variations and related idioms.
• It has some synonyms that can be used interchangeably.
• It is usually used in spoken or casual written communication, not in formal or academic contexts.
• It can be used to express uncertainty, flexibility, or politeness when making plans with someone or something.