pencil in
B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
to make a plan for now, but not a final one
Literal meaning: to write something in pencil rather than pen
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
neutral
to arrange something tentatively in a schedule or calendar
"Let's pencil in a meeting for Thursday afternoon."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Very common for diaries, calendars, and appointments. The idea comes from writing in pencil so it can be erased.
Commonly used with
meeting appointment lunch date visit interview
Forms
Base
pencil in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pencils in
he/she/it
Past simple
penciled in
yesterday
Past participle
penciled in
have + pp
-ing form
penciling in
continuous
Understand "pencil in" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
schedule tentatively provisionally arrange put down for now tentatively book
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "pencil in" on Looplines