0 to make certain that something or someone is correct, safe, or suitable by examining it, him, or her quickly:
You should always check your oil, water, and tyres before taking your car on a long trip.
Customs stopped us and checked (= searched) our bags for alcohol and cigarettes.
After I'd finished the exam, I checked my answers for mistakes.
I check on (= visits) our elderly neighbour every few days to make sure that he's alright.
[ + (that) ] I always check (that) I've shut the windows before I leave the house.
He double-checked all the doors (= checked them all twice) before leaving the house.
[ + question word ] I called them yesterday to check when they were arriving.
[ + to infinitive ] If you're near the garage, could you check to see (= ask) if the car's ready?
If you're unsure of your legal rights, I would check with (= ask) a lawyer.
1 to stop someone from doing or saying something, or to prevent something from increasing or continuing:
2 to give your bags to airport employees to be put on a plane for you, rather than carrying them on and off the plane yourself :
3 If information checks, it agrees with other information:
4 to mark something with a check:
5 in the game of chess, to put the other player's king under direct attack, so that he or she is forced to defend against the attack in the next move
6 in some sports such as ice hockey, to try to make another player lose the ball or puck, for example, by pushing them
7 US spelling of cheque UK
8 an examination of something in order to make certain that it is correct or the way it should be:
The soldiers gave their equipment a final check before setting off.
"I can't find my keys." "Have another check in/through your jacket pockets."
The police are carrying out spot checks on (= quick examinations of a limited number of) drivers over the Christmas period to test for alcohol levels.
I'll just run a check on (= find information about) that name for you in the computer.
9 a pattern of squares formed by lines of different colours crossing each other:
10 a bill in a restaurant, etc.:
Can I have the check, please?
11 to limit something:
We need to find ways of keeping our expenditure in check.
A system of checks and balances exists to ensure that our government is truly democratic.
12 a mark (✓) that shows that something is correct or has been done:
Put a check by/against the names of the people who have accepted the invitation.
13 in chess, the act of directly attacking the other player's king:
14 in some sports such as ice hockey, a defensive move (= trying to prevent scoring) in which a player tries to make another player lose the ball or puck, for example, by pushing them
15 used to say yes to someone who is making certain that all the things on a list have been dealt with or included:
16 something you say in chess, if you directly attack the other player's king
17 to look at or give your attention to something to get information, often to help you decide if something is correct, safe, or suitable:
18 to stop someone from doing or saying something, or to prevent something from increasing or continuing:
19 to leave your outer clothing or property temporarily in the care of someone else, usually as a convenience:
20 to mark items to show your preferences:
Check the box corresponding to the correct answer to each question.
21 a printed form, used instead of money, to make payments from your bank account:
22 a pattern made of different colored squares, or one of these squares:
23 a sign (✓) that shows that something is correct or done or has been examined:
24 a request for payment of money owed to a restaurant, or the piece of paper on which it is written:
Waiter, may I have the check, please?
25 the act of looking at or giving your attention to something to get information, often to help you decide if something is correct, safe, or suitable:
The FBI did a thorough background check on him (= looked into his past experience and relationships).
26 a way to stop someone from doing or saying something, or to prevent something from increasing or continuing:
27 the ticket or small object that you are given and that you use to get back your coat or other personal possessions left in the care of someone else for a short period:
28 to make certain that something or someone is correct, safe, or suitable, for example by examining it or them, or by asking someone:
When the shipment arrived, she checked to make sure nothing was broken.
A security officer checked our bags at the entrance to the building.
check on sth The supervisor will check on your progress next week.
check (sth) for sth Always check your reports for spelling errors before you hand them in.
check (sth) with sb Please could you check the figures with the sales manager?
check that Check that you have all the necessary documentation before you travel.
29 to prevent something from increasing or continuing:
30 to leave something with someone at a particular place, so that they can take care of it for a short time, or so it can be put on a plane or train:
31 to make a mark next to an item on a list, or to click on a checkbox on a computer screen in order to make a choice:
Please check the box above to agree to our terms and conditions.
32 if information checks, it makes it likely that other information is true:
33 → cheque
34 → check mark :
35 an examination of something in order to make certain that it is correct or the way that it should be:
give sth a check Give the invoice another check before you seal the carton.
carry out/do a check (on/of sth) They carried out a check of all the electrical equipment.
regular/routine check A regular check is done on all our equipment.
quick/thorough check All these documents will need a thorough check before you send them off.
keep a check on sth It's my job to keep a check on stock levels.
36 an examination of somebody to see if they are healthy or have a medical problem:
37 a piece of paper given to you when you have finished eating at a restaurant, showing how much money you owe:
Can we have the check, please?
38 something that stops something else from increasing or getting worse:
39 to put a limit on something so that it does not increase or become worse:
We must find ways of keeping our expenditure in check.
40 rules intended to prevent one person or group from having too much power within a country or an organization:
It's a good idea to check the flight departure time before you leave for the airport.
Patricia has checked the reports and can vouch for the accuracy of the information.
You should have your teeth checked by a dentist at least twice a year.
Remember to go over your essay checking for grammar and spelling mistakes before you hand it in to me.
We make a fortnightly check on supplies.
They carried out the pre-flight checks.
I made one last check that we had not forgotten anything.
中文繁体
檢查, 核查,核對, 得到資訊…
More中文简体
检查, 核查,核对, 得到信息…
MoreEspañol
revisar, comprobar, averiguar…
MorePortuguês
revisar, verificar, conferir…
More日本語
~を確認する, ~を確かめる, 正しい答えに✓印をつける…
MoreTürk dili
kontrol etmek, denetlemek, bakmak…
MoreFrançais
contrôler, vérifier, maîtriser…
MoreCatalan
revisar, comprovar, esbrinar…
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