/ tʃek; NAmE / verb , noun , exclamation
■ verb
EXAMINE
1.
[ vn ] check sth (for sth) to examine sth to see if it is correct, safe or acceptable :
Check the container for cracks or leaks.
She gave me the minutes of the meeting to read and check.
Check the oil and water before setting off.
Check your work before handing it in.
MAKE SURE
2.
check (with sb) to find out if sth is correct or true or if sth is how you think it is :
[ v ( that )]
Go and check (that) I've locked the windows.
[ v ]
'Is Mary in the office?' 'Just a moment. I'll go and check.'
[ v wh- ]
You'd better check with Jane what time she's expecting us tonight.
—see also cross-check , double-check
CONTROL
3.
[ vn ] to control sth; to stop sth from increasing or getting worse :
The government is determined to check the growth of public spending.
4.
[ vn ] to stop yourself from saying or doing sth or from showing a particular emotion :
to check your anger / laughter / tears
She wanted to tell him the whole truth but she checked herself—it wasn't the right moment.
COATS / BAGS / CASES
5.
[ vn ] ( NAmE ) to leave coats, bags, etc. in an official place (called a checkroom ) while you are visiting a club, restaurant, etc. :
Do you want to check your coats?
6.
[ vn ] ( NAmE ) to leave bags or cases with an official so that they can be put on a plane or train
MAKE MARK
7.
[ vn ] ( NAmE ) = tick :
Check the box next to the right answer.
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- check in (at ... )
- check sth in
- check into ...
- check sb/sth off
- check on sb/sth
- check out
- check out (of ... )
- check sb/sth out
- check sth out
- check over / through sth
- check up on sb
- check up on sth
■ noun
EXAMINATION
1.
[ C ] check (for / on sth) an act of making sure that sth is safe, correct or in good condition by examining it :
Could you give the tyres a check?
a health check
The drugs were found in their car during a routine check by police.
a check for spelling mistakes
I'll just have a quick check to see if the letter's arrived yet.
It is vital to keep a check on your speed (= look at it regularly in order to control it) .
—see also reality check
INVESTIGATION
2.
[ C ] check (on sb/sth) an investigation to find out more information about sth :
The police ran a check on the registration number of the car.
Was any check made on Mr Morris when he applied for the post?
CONTROL
3.
[ C ] check (on / to sth) ( formal ) something that delays the progress of sth else or stops it from getting worse :
A cold spring will provide a natural check on the number of insects.
4.
checks [ pl. ] ( formal ) rules that are designed to control the amount of power, especially political power, that one person or group has
—see also checks and balances
PATTERN
5.
[ C , U ] a pattern of squares, usually of two colours :
Do you prefer checks or stripes?
a check shirt / suit
a yellow and red check skirt
—picture at pyjamas
—see also checked
MONEY
6.
[ C ] ( US ) = cheque
7.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) = bill :
Can I have the check, please?
➡ note at bill
FOR COATS / BAGS
8.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) coat ~ a place in a club, restaurant, etc. where you can leave your coat or bag
9.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) a ticket that you get when you leave your coat, bag, etc. in, for example, a restaurant or theatre
IN GAME
10.
[ U ] ( in chess ) a position in which a player's king (= the most important piece ) can be directly attacked by the other player's pieces :
There, you're in check.
—see also checkmate
MARK
11.
(also ˈcheck mark ) [ C ] ( NAmE ) = tick
•
IDIOMS
- hold / keep sth in check
—more at rain check
■ exclamation
used to show that you agree with sb or that sth on a list has been dealt with :
'Do you have your tickets?' 'Check.' 'Passport?' 'Check.'
••
SYNONYMS
check
examine ♦ inspect ♦ go over sth
These words all mean to look at sth/sb closely to make sure that everything is correct, in good condition, or acceptable.
check
to look at sb/sth closely to make sure that everything is correct, in good condition, safe or satisfactory:
Check your work before handing it in.
examine
to look at sb/sth closely to see if there is anything wrong or to find the cause of a problem:
The goods were examined for damage on arrival.
inspect
to look at sb/sth closely to make sure that everything is satisfactory; to officially visit a school, factory, etc. in order to check that rules are being obeyed and that standards are acceptable:
Make sure you inspect the goods before signing for them.
•
The Tourist Board inspects all recommended hotels at least once a year.
check, examine or inspect?
All these words can be used when you are looking for possible problems, but only check is used for mistakes: Examine/Inspect your work before handing it in. Only examine is used when looking for the cause of a problem: The doctor checked / inspected her but could find nothing wrong. Examine is used more often about a professional person:
The surveyor examined the walls for signs of damp.
Inspect is used more often about an official:
Public health officials were called in to inspect the restaurant.
go over sth
to check sth carefully for mistakes, damage or anything dangerous:
Go over your work for spelling mistakes before you hand it in.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
to check / examine / inspect / go over (sth) for sth
to check / examine / inspect / go over sth to see if / whether...
to check / examine / inspect / go over sth carefully / thoroughly
••
WORD ORIGIN
verb and exclamation noun senses 1 to 4 and noun senses 6 to 10 Middle English (originally as used in the game of chess): the noun and exclamation from Old French eschec , from medieval Latin scaccus , via Arabic from Persian šāh king; the verb from Old French eschequier play chess, put in check. The sense stop or control arose from the use in chess, and led (in the late 17th cent.) to examine the accuracy of .
noun sense 5 late Middle English : probably from chequer, a pattern of squares, usually alternately coloured.