...to pencil someone in...

[flatron]

Hi.I have just learned the phrasal verb "to pencil someone in"...my question is ...Is the opposite to pen someone in? Does it exist?Thanks!

 

[emsr2d2]

Hi.I have just learned the phrasal verb "to pencil someone in"...my question is ...Is the opposite to pen someone in? Does it exist?Thanks!

I've never heard that, no.

 

[BobK]

I've never heard that, no.

But I have heard 'to ink someone in', but rarely, and always in context where the person has been pencilled in first.

b

 

[shroob]

Not a teacher only a native speaker.

I wouldn't have thought so, as a pen is more permanent, so if anything would only be confirming the appointment even more than 'penciling' someone in would be.

 

[Barb_D]

You could use it in a joking way.

For example, the person says "Should I pencil you in?" and you could say "No, I'm going to be there for sure! You can pen me in!" But it's not a standard idiom; you would just be playing with words.

 

[BobK]

But I have heard 'to ink someone in', but rarely, and always in context where the person has been pencilled in first.

b

The expression 'to ink in' can be used in this sort of context:

"OK, you'll be here tomorrow at 12.00. That's definite is it? You're not going to change your mind again. Can I ink it in?' (It's pretty informal, but I've heard it used - in the UK that is.)

b