check (redirected from checks)

ask (someone) for a rain check (American, informal)

I'll take a rain check - something that you say when you cannot accept someone's invitation to do something but you would like to do it another time. I was supposed to see Marge on Saturday - I'll have to ask her for a rain check.

See also: ask, rain

checks and balances

rules intended to prevent one person or group from having too much power within an organization. A system of checks and balances exists to ensure that our government is truly democratic.

See also: balance

hold/keep something/someone in check

to keep something or someone under control, usually to stop them becoming too large or too powerful. The natural order of things is that the predators of an animal keep the population in check. The central banks' action seemed at the time to be holding the dollar in check.

See also: hold, keep

I'll take a rain check (American, British & Australian, informal, American, informal)

something that you say when you cannot accept someone's invitation to do something but you would like to do it another time. I'll take a rain check on that drink tonight, if that's all right. (often + on) I won't play tennis this afternoon but can I get a rain check?

See also: I'll, rain, take

a rubber check (American, humorous)

a cheque (= a piece of paper from someone's bank that they sign and use for money) that is not worth anything because the person does not have enough money in the bank. The woman was accused of writing more than $100,000 in rubber checks to pay for expensive jewelry.

See also: rubber

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check in

to give your name when you arrive at a place. With all these security measures, you have to check in at least two hours hour before your flight.

Usage notes: usually said about giving your name at a place you will be staying, such as a hotel, or before traveling on an aircraft

check in (with someone)

to communicate with someone, esp. regularly. When traveling, I am supposed to check in with my boss at least once a day.

check yourself into somewhere

to enter a hospital for medical care. He had chest pains and checked himself into the hospital.

check off something

to look at a list of names or items and mark them if correct. He checked off their names as the passengers got on the bus.

check out

1. to pay what you owe for having stayed at a hotel. The Gardners checked out early this morning and left for Europe.

2. to seem to be true or in agreement with other facts. Her statement checks out with most of the reports from other people who saw the accident.

check out (something)

to pay for something you are buying or to let someone record what you are borrowing. To complete your online purchase, check out by clicking on the icon below. Ty checked another three books out of the library this afternoon.

check out someone/something

to discover the facts about someone or something. Not one of the places I checked out seemed right for the wedding. We checked out his story, and his boss says he really was at work that day.

Usage notes: often used in the phrase check it out: She said it was a good movie so we thought we'd check it out ourselves.

check up on someone

to try to discover what someone is doing, esp. secretly. I think he stops by my office to check up on me, to make sure I'm actually working.

in check

within reasonable limits. I've been spending all my salary and have got to find a way to keep my expenses in check.

Usage notes: often used in the form hold something in check: Sometimes it's hard to hold your emotions in check.