check

check¹ W2S1 [tʃek] v

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1¦(find out)¦

2¦(ask somebody)¦

3¦(not do something)¦

4¦(stop something)¦

5¦(bags/cases etc)¦

6¦(make a mark)¦

7 Check

Phrasal verbs

　check in

　check something<=>off

　check on somebody/something

　check out

　check something/somebody<=>over

　check up on somebody/something

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1.) ¦(FIND OUT)¦ [I and T]

to do something in order to find out whether something really is correct, true, or in good condition

▪ Check the tiles carefully before you buy them.

▪ A first rule in solving any mystery is to check the facts.

▪ Fill in the cash book carefully and always check your calculations.

check (that)

▪ Check that all the doors are locked securely.

check whether/how/who etc

▪ Let me just check whether the potatoes are cooked.

▪ They paused to check how the other climbers were getting on.

check (sth) for sth

▪ I checked the typing for errors.

▪ Turn the tap on and check for leaks.

check sth against/with sth

(=compare something with something else to see whether they are the same)

▪ You must check the evidence against other sources and decide if it is reliable.

▪ Positive test results are double checked (=looked at twice) to make absolutely sure.

2.) ¦(ASK SOMEBODY)¦ [I and T]

to ask someone whether something is correct, true, or allowed

▪ I'm not authorized to give you a refund - I'll have to check first.

check (that)

▪ Make a phone call to check that you are writing to the right person.

check whether/how/who etc

▪ I'll call the factory to check whether the beds can be delivered today.

check with

▪ It's wise to check with your doctor before going on a diet.

3.) ¦(NOT DO SOMETHING)¦ [T]

to suddenly stop yourself from saying or doing something because you realize it would be better not to

▪ I had to check the urge to laugh out loud.

check yourself

▪ He grinned, and then checked himself, not wanting to upset Jack.

4.) ¦(STOP SOMETHING)¦ [T]

to stop something bad from getting worse or continuing to happen

▪ The police are failing to take adequate measures to check the growth in crime.

5.) ¦(BAGS/CASES ETC)¦ [T]

AmE check in BrE

to leave your bags at an official place so they can be put on a plane or a train, or to take someone's bags in order to do this

▪ Any luggage over five kilos must be checked.

6.) ¦(MAKE A MARK)¦ [T]

AmE to make a mark next to an answer, something on a list etc to show you have chosen it, that it is correct, or that you have dealt with it

British Equivalent: tick

7.) Check

spoken especially AmE say this when someone mentions each thing on a list, to tell them that you have it or have done it

▪ 'Passport?' 'Check.' 'Ticket?' ' Check'.

check in phr v

1.) if you check in or are checked in at a hotel or airport, you go to the desk and report that you have arrived

▪ You need to check in two hours before the flight.

check in at

▪ He checked in at the Europa Hotel.

check sb<=>in

▪ Airline employees were checking in passengers.

→↑check-in

2.) check sth<=>in

to leave your bags at an official place so they can be put on a plane or a train, or to take someone's bags in order to do this

▪ I said goodbye and went to check in my suitcases.

3.) AmE to call someone to tell them that you are safe or where you are

▪ He just called to check in and tell them how he was doing.

check off [check sth<=>off] phr v

to write a mark next to something on a list to show that you have chosen it, dealt with it, or made sure that it is correct

▪ One by one he checked them off on his register.

check on / [check on sb/sth] phr v

1.) to make sure that someone or something is safe, is in a satisfactory state, or is doing what they should be doing

▪ Honey, can you go upstairs and check on the kids?

▪ My neighbour comes in once a week to check on things and feed the fish.

2.) to try to find out if something is true or correct

▪ He wanted to check on the girl's story.

check out phr v

1.) ¦(MAKE SURE)¦

a) check sth<=>out

to make sure that something is actually true, correct, or acceptable

= ↑investigate

▪ I made a phone call to check out his address.

check something<=>out with

▪ Check it out with your boss before you do anything.

b) if information checks out, it is proved to be true, correct, or acceptable

▪ His credit record checks out.

2.) ¦(LOOK AT SOMEBODY/SOMETHING)¦

check sb/sth<=>out

to look at someone or something because they are interesting or attractive

▪ If I hear about a website that sounds interesting, I check it out.

▪ Hey, check out that car!

3.) ¦(GET INFORMATION)¦

check sb<=>out informal

to get information about someone, especially to find out if they are suitable for something

▪ I'll check them out as potential employers.

4.) ¦(HOTEL)¦

to leave a hotel after paying the bill

▪ We checked out at noon.

→↑checkout

5.) ¦(BOOKS)¦

check sth<=>out

AmE to borrow a book from a library

▪ The library allows you to check out six books at a time.

check over [check sth/sb<=>over] phr v

1.) to look closely at something to make sure it is correct or acceptable

▪ They spent the rest of the morning checking over their equipment.

2.) to examine someone to make sure they are healthy

▪ I'd like the doctor to check you over and do a few tests.

check up on / [check up on sb/sth] phr v

1.) to try to find out if someone is doing what they said they would do or what you want them to do

▪ Don't worry; no-one is going to check up on you.

2.) to make sure that something is true or correct

▪ Dustin called me to check up on some facts.

check ²

check² W3S1 n

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1¦(finding out)¦

2 keep/hold somebody/something in check

3¦(a control on something)¦

4 checks and balances

5¦(pattern)¦

6¦(from your bank)¦

7¦(in a restaurant)¦

8 coat check/hat check

9¦(mark)¦

10¦(chess)¦

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[Sense: 1-4, 6-10; Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: eschec 'check in chess', from Arabic shah, from Persian, 'king']

[Sense: 5; Date: 1400-1500; Origin: checker 'chessboard, pattern of squares' (14-21 centuries), from Old French eschequier, from eschec]

1.) ¦(FINDING OUT)¦

the process of finding out if something is safe, correct, true, or in the condition it should be

check on

▪ the need for tighter checks on arms sales

▪ Conduct regular checks on your water quality.

run/carry out/make a check

▪ I decided to run a check on all personnel.

▪ I keep a careful check on my blood pressure.

have a check BrE

▪ Have a check in your bag first and see if it's there.

▪ the airport's routine security checks

▪ random drug checks

health/medical/dental etc check

(=a test done to make sure you are healthy)

spot check

(=a quick check of one thing among a group of things, that you do without warning)

▪ a spot check on the accounts

2.) keep/hold sb/sth in check

keep someone or something under control

▪ You must learn to keep your emotions in check.

▪ attempts to keep global warming in check

▪ He made an effort to hold himself in check.

3.) ¦(A CONTROL ON SOMETHING)¦ [C usually singular]

something that controls something else and stops it from getting worse, continuing to happen etc

check on

▪ Higher interest rates will act as a check on public spending.

4.) checks and balances

a system that makes it possible for some people or parts of an organization to control the others, so that no particular person or part has too much power or influence

5.) ¦(PATTERN)¦ [U and C]

a pattern of squares, especially on cloth

▪ a shirt with brown and black checks

check suit/jacket etc

(=made with cloth patterned with checks)

▪ a blue cotton check dress

→↑checked

6.) ¦(FROM YOUR BANK)¦

the American spelling of ↑cheque

check for

▪ a check for $30

by check

▪ Can I pay by check?

7.) ¦(IN A RESTAURANT)¦ AmE

a list that you are given in a restaurant showing what you have eaten and how much you must pay

British Equivalent: bill

8.) coat check/hat check

AmE

a) a place in a restaurant, theatre etc where you can leave your coat, bag etc to be guarded until you go home

b) a ticket that you are given so you can claim your things from this place

9.) ¦(MARK)¦ AmE

a mark that you put next to an answer to show that it is correct or next to something on a list to show that you have dealt with it

British Equivalent: tick

10.) ¦(CHESS)¦[U]

the position of the ↑king (=most important piece) in ↑chess where it can be directly attacked by the opponent's pieces