7 VERB When you check your luggage at an airport, you give it to an official so that it can be taken on to your plane. □ [V n] We arrived at the airport, checked our baggage and wandered around the gift shops. ● PHRASAL VERB To check in your luggage means the same as to check it. □ [V P n] They checked in their luggage and found seats in the departure lounge. [Also V n P ]
8 N‑COUNT The check in a restaurant is a piece of paper on which the price of your meal is written and which you are given before you pay. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use bill 9 CONVENTION In a game of chess, you say check when you are attacking your opponent's king.
10 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A pattern of squares, usually of two colours, can be referred to as checks or a check . □ Styles include stripes and checks. □ …a red and white check dress.
11 PHRASE If something or someone is held in check or is kept in check , they are controlled and prevented from becoming too great or powerful. □ Unemployment was still held in check but the economy was stagnating.
12 A check is the same as a cheque . [AM ]
13 → see also double-check , rain check , spot check
▸ check in
1 PHRASAL VERB When you check in or check into a hotel or clinic, or if someone checks you in , you arrive and go through the necessary procedures before you stay there. □ [V P ] I'll ring the hotel. I'll tell them we'll check in tomorrow. □ [V P n] He has checked into an alcohol treatment centre. □ [V n P ] Check us in at the hotel and wait for my call. [Also V n P n]
2 PHRASAL VERB When you check in at an airport, you arrive and show your ticket before going on a flight. □ [V P ] He had checked in at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport for a flight to Manchester.
3 → see also check-in , check 7
▸ check off PHRASAL VERB When you check things off , you check or count them while referring to a list of them, to make sure you have considered all of them. □ [V P n] Once you've checked off the items you ordered, put this record in your file. □ [V n P ] I haven't checked them off but I would say that's about the number.
▸ check out
1 PHRASAL VERB When you check out of a hotel or clinic where you have been staying, or if someone checks you out , you pay the bill and leave. □ [V P + of ] They packed and checked out of the hotel. □ [V P ] I was disappointed to miss Bryan, who had just checked out. □ [V n P + of ] I'd like to check him out of here the day after tomorrow. [Also V P n, V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you check out something or someone, you find out information about them to make sure that everything is correct or satisfactory. □ [V n P ] Maybe we ought to go down to the library and check it out. □ [V P n] The police had to check out the call.
3 PHRASAL VERB If something checks out , it is correct or satisfactory. □ [V P ] She was in San Diego the weekend Jensen got killed. It checked out.
4 → see also checkout
▸ check up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you check up on something, you find out information about it. □ [V P + on ] It is certainly worth checking up on your benefit entitlements. □ [V P ] The Government employs tax inspectors to check up and make sure people pay all their tax.
2 → see also check-up
3 PHRASAL VERB If you check up on someone, you obtain information about them, usually secretly. □ [V P + on ] I'm sure he knew I was checking up on him. COLLOCATIONS check NOUN 1
noun + check : health, safety, security; border; background
adjective + check : rigorous, stringent, thorough; regular, routine
verb + check : carry out, do, make, perform, run; undergo VERB 1
check + adverb : carefully, rigorously, thoroughly; periodically, regularly, routinely SYNONYMS check VERB 1
examine: He examined her passport and stamped it.
test: Test the water with your wrist.
verify: I verified the source from which I had that information.
vet: All objects are vetted by a distinguished panel of experts.
inspect: Elaine went outside to inspect the playing field.
check|book /tʃe kbʊk/ → see cheque book
checked /tʃe kt/ ADJ Something that is checked has a pattern of small squares, usually of two colours. □ He was wearing blue jeans and a checked shirt.
check|er /tʃe kə r / (checkers )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Checkers is a game for two people, played with 24 round pieces on a board. [AM ] in BRIT, use draughts 2 N‑COUNT A checker is a person or machine that has the job of checking something. □ Run what you've written through a spell checker before sending.
checker|board /tʃe kə r bɔː r d/ (checkerboards ) in BRIT, also use chequerboard 1 N‑COUNT A checkerboard is a square board with 64 black and white squares that is used for playing checkers or chess. [AM ] in BRIT, use chessboard , draughts board 2 ADJ [ADJ n] A checkerboard pattern is made up of equal-sized squares of two different colours, usually black and white.