rubber stamp 
noun
1A handheld device for inking and imprinting a message or design on a surface.There's a distinctly retro look to this space; '80s style phones alongside a big pile of papers receiving the imprint of a rubber stamp....
- Using the box or linoleum cutter, carve away the non-inked areas of the eraser; this will create a rubber stamp out of the raised surfaces.
- A facsimile signature imprinted by means of a rubber stamp can be just as thoughtfully executed by a person as can a mark.
2A person or organization that gives automatic approval or authorization to the decisions of others, without proper consideration: the Commission were accused of being a rubber stamp for the police department...
- ‘The association should not be seen as a rubber stamp for companies,’ said an institutional investor.
- That Government has already made up its mind to turn right, but needs some kind of rubber stamp to make the decision appear to be democratic.
- The group was set up as a rubber stamp so that the government can say they consulted a lot of people, and I wasted my time, not to mention your money, in going.
2.1An indication of automatic approval: your application should get the rubber stamp from the residents' association...
- It was a complete rubber stamp with no acknowledgement of our case.
- Why not just give it a rubber stamp and move ahead?
- The rubber stamp comes despite continued concerns over the plan's inclusion of a spur with railway lines leading into the Town Beach bay.
Synonyms
authorization, permission, approval, assent, consent, sanction;
leave, clearance, warranty, agreement, imprimatur, one's blessing, green light, the seal/stamp of approval;
authority, licence, dispensation, empowerment, freedom, liberty
informal the OK, the go-ahead, the thumbs up, the say-so, the nod
rare permit, nihil obstat
verb
(rubber-stamp) [with object] Approve automatically without proper consideration: parliament merely rubber-stamped the decisions of the party...
- This is a massive step in the right direction and hopefully when the full approval is rubber-stamped in September, so many lives will be saved.
- But instead of rubber-stamping the decision yesterday, the authority decided to hold a special meeting, within a month, to discuss the proposal.
- This kind of attitude, he said, is also a consequence of the centralization of power, where decisions are taken behind closed doors and rubber-stamped by parliament.
Synonyms
approve, give one's seal/stamp of approval to, agree to, consent to, assent to, acquiesce in, concur in, accede to, give one's blessing to, bless, say yes to, accept;
ratify, sanction, endorse, authorize, mandate, license, warrant, validate, pass;
confirm, support, back;
give one's permission/leave
informal give the go-ahead to, give the green light to, give the OK to, OK, give the thumbs up to, give the nod, say the word, buy