Rubber stamp
Meaning: To approve something automatically without real review or consideration; also a person who approves everything.
When something gets rubber-stamped, it's approved without genuine scrutiny — just a mechanical approval process. A 'rubber stamp' person is someone who just signs off on whatever's put in front of them. In American politics and business, it's always negative, implying a lack of independent thinking.
Examples
- The committee just rubber-stamps whatever the CEO proposes. 委员会对CEO提出的任何方案都照单全收。El comité simplemente aprueba sin más todo lo que el director general propone.委員会はCEOの提案を何でもそのまま承認するだけだ。위원회는 CEO가 제안하는 것은 뭐든지 그냥 도장만 찍어준다.
- Don't just rubber-stamp this contract — actually read it. 别橡皮图章式地盖章批准这份合同——认真看一看。No te limites a dar el visto bueno a este contrato: léelo de verdad.この契約をそのまま承認するな――ちゃんと読め。이 계약서에 그냥 도장만 찍지 마——제대로 읽어봐.
- Congress was accused of being a rubber stamp for the president's policies. 国会被指责是总统政策的橡皮图章。Se acusó al Congreso de ser un mero sello de goma para las políticas del presidente.議会は大統領の政策の追認機関だと批判された。의회는 대통령 정책의 거수기라는 비판을 받았다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: business, politics, approval process
Tone: critical, dismissive
✓ Do Say
- They rubber-stamped the proposal without discussion.他们不经讨论就直接批准了提案。Aprobaron la propuesta sin discusión.彼らは議論もなしにその提案を承認した。그들은 토론도 없이 제안서에 도장을 찍었다.
- He's just a rubber stamp for the boss.他不过是老板的橡皮图章而已。No es más que un sello de goma para el jefe.彼は上司のイエスマンに過ぎない。그는 상사의 거수기일 뿐이야.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't use about careful, deliberate approvals — it implies laziness or corruption不要用于认真、慎重的审批——这个词暗示敷衍或存在猫腻No lo uses para aprobaciones cuidadosas y deliberadas: implica pereza o corrupción慎重で熟慮された承認に対して使わないこと――怠慢や腐敗を暗示してしまう신중하고 꼼꼼한 승인에 대해서는 쓰지 말 것 — 게으름이나 부패를 암시하는 표현이다
Origin & History
American business and political expression from the early 20th century. A rubber stamp makes identical marks quickly and mindlessly — the perfect metaphor for thoughtless approval.
Cultural Context
Era: Early 20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from Work & School
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free