check
1to stop or arrest the motion of suddenly or forcibly: He checked the horse at the edge of the cliff.
to restrain; hold in restraint or control: They built a high wall to check the tides.
to cause a reduction, such as in rate or intensity; diminish: The new measures checked the rapidity with which the epidemic was spreading.
to investigate or verify as to correctness: She checked the copy against the original.
to make an inquiry into, search through, etc.: We checked the files, but the letter was missing.
to inspect or test the performance, condition, safety, etc., of (something): Check a used car thoroughly before buying it.
to mark (something) so as to indicate examination, correctness, preference, etc. (often followed by off): Please check the correct answer. They checked off the names of people they wanted to invite.
to leave in temporary custody: Check your umbrellas at the door.
to accept for temporary custody: We accept responsibility for any article we check here.
to send (baggage) on a passenger's ticket, usually on the same carrier used by the passenger, for pickup at the destination: We checked two trunks through to Portland.
to accept (baggage) for conveyance, and to convey, under the privilege of a passenger's ticket: Check this trunk to Portland.
to mark with or in a pattern of squares: to check fabric.
Agriculture. to plant in checkrows.
Chess. to place (an opponent's king) under direct attack.
Ice Hockey. to obstruct or impede the movement or progress of (an opponent).: Compare back-check, fore-check.
Baseball. (of a batter) to hold back on (a swing of the bat) just after the swing has been started: The umpire is saying Cruz did check his swing, so that’ll be ball three.: See also checked swing.
Baseball. (of a pitcher) to turn and look at (a base runner) to inhibit the runner from leading: Lopez checks the runner on second, looks back at Hamilton, and fires another sidearm pitch.
to prove to be right; correspond accurately: The reprint checks with the original, item for item.
to make an inquiry, investigation, etc., such as for verification (often followed by up, into, etc.): He checked to make sure his answer was correct. Check into the matter.
to make a sudden stop; pause: The horse checked before he jumped.
Chess. to make a move that puts the opponent's king under direct attack.
Baseball. (of a batter) to hold back on a swing of the bat just after the swing has been started: From our perspective, it’s hard to tell whether he checked or not.: See also checked swing.
to crack or split, usually in small checks: Painted surfaces may check with age.
Poker. to decline to initiate the betting in a betting round, usually to force another player to make the first bet rather than raise it.
Hunting. (of hounds) to stop, especially because the line of scent has been lost.
Falconry. (of a hawk) to forsake the proper prey and follow baser game (followed by at).
Also British, cheque .Banking. a written order, usually on a standard printed form, directing a bank to pay money.
a slip or ticket showing the amount owed, especially a bill for food or beverages consumed.
a ticket or token that when matched with a counterpart identifies an article left in the temporary custody of another, the purchaser of a ticket, a person who is to be served next, etc.
a criterion, standard, or means to insure against error, fraud, etc.: This handmade sample is a check that the machine-made samples have to match.
an inquiry, search, or examination: We made a quick check but found nothing missing.
Also called check mark . a mark, often indicated by (✓), as on a list, to indicate that something has been considered, acted upon, or approved.
a person or thing that stops, limits, slows, or restrains: The increase of duty was an effective check on imports. He was a check on her enthusiasm.
a sudden arrest or stoppage: Taxation caused a check in the accumulation of vast fortunes.
a control, test, or inspection that ascertains performance or prevents error: They ran a check on the dependability of the automobile.
a pattern formed of squares, as on a checkerboard.
one of the squares in such a pattern.
a fabric having a check pattern.
Chess. the exposure of the king to direct attack: The king was in check.
Ice Hockey. any of several maneuvers designed to obstruct or impede the forward progress of an opponent.: Compare board check, body check, cross-check (def. 5), hook check, poke check, sweep check.
a counter used in card games, as the chip in poker.
a small crack: There were several checks in the paint.
an egg, designated for market, having a slightly cracked shell and an intact inner membrane.
Masonry. a rabbet-shaped cutting on the edge of a stone, by which it is fitted to another stone.
Hunting.
the losing of the scent by a dog or pack.
(in fox hunting) a period in a hunt, following the losing of the scent by the hounds, during which the field rests quietly while the hounds cast to regain the scent.
serving to check, control, verify, etc.: a check system.
ornamented with a pattern of squares; checkered: a check border.
Chess. (used as a call to warn one's opponent that their king is exposed to direct attack, having just one move in which to escape or parry.)
Informal. all right! agreed!
check in, to register, as at a hotel; indicate one's arrival or presence at a place, function, etc., usually by signing an appropriate form: We checked in at the reception desk.
check on / up on to investigate, scrutinize, or inspect: Don't forget to check on his work. We have to check up on him.
check out,
to vacate and pay for one's quarters at a hotel.
to verify or become verified; examine or investigate.
to fulfill requirements, as by passing a test: The engine checked out and we proceeded on our way.
to itemize, total the cost of, and collect payment for (a purchase): The supermarket cashier was exhausted from checking out groceries all day long.
to have the cost added up and pay for merchandise.
to borrow (an item) by having it listed as one's temporary responsibility: The adding machine was checked out in your name.
Informal. to depart quickly or abruptly; leave in a hurry.
Slang. to die.
check over, to examine or investigate, especially thoroughly.
Idioms about check
check the helm, Nautical. to alter the helm of a turning vessel to keep the bow from swinging too far or too rapidly.
in check, under restraint: He held his anger in check.
Origin of check
1synonym study For check
Other words for check
2 | impede, hinder, hamper, obstruct, block; bridle, hobble; baffle, balk, bottleneck, clog, stem; detain |
6 | examine |
18 | agree |
28 | receipt, tab, counterfoil |
29 | coupon, stub |
33 | obstacle, obstruction, hindrance, restriction, restraint, impediment, deterrent; bar, barrier; curb, bridle, rein |
Opposites for check
Other words from check
- check·less, adjective
Words Nearby check
Other definitions for check (2 of 2)
Often checks . the game of checkers.
any of the playing pieces used in this game.
Origin of check
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use check in a sentence
In this cockamamie get-rich scheme, would they all issue an apology if he cut a check?
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers | Stereo Williams | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTWe try to avoid going away for too long, so we can check back in.
She came to sound check, that was the first time we ever performed it, and it was really cool.
Deer Tick's John McCauley on Ten Years in Rock and Roll | James Joiner | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTTo judge her acting abilities for yourself, check out her videos on YouTube for “Sex Shooter.”
Speed Read: The Juiciest Bits From the History of ‘Purple Rain’ | Jennie Yabroff | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTWhile the desk sergeant ran a background check, he was roughed up by another officer in the lock-up.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face? | Goldie Taylor | December 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
"Very well," said the other, handing him a check for twenty-five dollars as a retainer, and straightway left the office.
The Homesteader | Oscar MicheauxThe new Government to preserve public order and check all reprisals against the Spaniards.
The Philippine Islands | John ForemanBut in the organization in which we live over-production tends to check itself at once.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockAm I to check the number of rounds in the limbers; on the beaches and in transit during a battle?
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonScarcely were they bandaged when the news arrived that Augereau's division had received a severe check.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-Pattison
British Dictionary definitions for check
/ (tʃɛk) /
to pause or cause to pause, esp abruptly
(tr) to restrain or control: to check one's tears
(tr) to slow the growth or progress of; retard
(tr) to rebuke or rebuff
(when intr, often foll by on or up on) to examine, investigate, or make an inquiry into (facts, a product, etc) for accuracy, quality, or progress, esp rapidly or informally
(tr) mainly US and Canadian to mark off so as to indicate approval, correctness, or preference: Usual Brit word: tick
(intr often foll by with) mainly US and Canadian to correspond or agree: this report checks with the other
(tr) mainly US, Canadian and NZ to leave in or accept (clothing or property) for temporary custody
chess to place (an opponent's king) in check
(tr) to mark with a pattern of squares or crossed lines
to crack or cause to crack
agriculture short for checkrow
(tr) ice hockey to impede (an opponent)
(intr) hunting (of hounds) to pause in the pursuit of quarry while relocating a lost scent
(intr foll by at) falconry to change from one quarry to another while in flight
(intr) to decline the option of opening the betting in a round of poker
check the helm nautical to swing back the helm of a vessel to prevent it from turning too quickly or too far
a break in progress; stoppage
a restraint or rebuff
a person or thing that restrains, halts, etc
(as modifier): a check line
a control, esp a rapid or informal one, designed to ensure accuracy, progress, etc
(as modifier): a check list
a means or standard to ensure against fraud or error
the US word for tick 1
the US spelling of cheque
mainly US the bill in a restaurant
mainly US and Canadian a ticket or tag used to identify clothing or property deposited for custody
a pattern of squares or crossed lines
a single square in such a pattern
fabric with a pattern of squares or crossed lines
(as modifier): a check suit
chess the state or position of a king under direct attack, from which it must be moved or protected by another piece
a small crack, as one in veneer or one that occurs in timber during seasoning
part of the action of a piano that arrests the backward motion of a hammer after it has struck a string and holds it until the key is released
a chip or counter used in some card and gambling games
hunting a pause by the hounds in the pursuit of their quarry owing to loss of its scent
angling a ratchet fitted to a fishing reel to check the free running of the line
ice hockey the act of impeding an opponent with one's body or stick
in check under control or restraint
chess a call made to an opponent indicating that his king is in check
mainly US and Canadian an expression of agreement
Origin of check
1Derived forms of check
- checkable, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with check
In addition to the idioms beginning with check
- check in
- check into
- check off
- check on
- check out
- check over
- checks and balances
- check up
also see:
- blank check
- claim check
- in check
- pick up (the check)
- rain check
- reality check
- rubber check
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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