check out, to
check out
1. verb To confirm that one has vacated one's hotel room (and pay the bill). We have to check out in an hour, so you guys seriously need to start packing! Yep, we're all checked out now, so we can go. Wait, we seriously have to check out of our hotel room at 11:00 AM? What are we supposed to do until our flight?
2. verb To investigate, inspect, or look at something of interest. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is commonly used between "check" and "out." We checked out that house on the corner, but the price was too high considering all the work it needs. Wow, check this out—someone in the next town over won the lottery last week! Check out George over there. That dude knows how to dress!
3. verb To be verified as true, accurate, or meeting a certain standard. Surprisingly, her story checks out—she really was at the library until midnight last night. There's no way this kid's résumé checks out. How could he possibly have done all these things by the age of 20? A: "Wait, that suspect's alibi actually checked out?" B: "Yep. He had no involvement with the crime."
4. verb To become unfocused or distracted; to cease participating in a meaningful way. Well, he's still blabbing away, but I couldn't tell you what he's talking about now—I checked out a while ago. I know Jim is retiring at the end of June, but he's already checked out if you ask me. The kids are already checked out and in summer vacation mode.
5. verb To complete a purchase by providing payment at the final point of sale, as in a retail store. I'm checking out right now, so I'll be out to the car in a minute. I'm about to check out—is there anything else you needed from the store? I'm going to check out now, before I can add anything else to my cart!
6. verb To tally one's purchases and take payment for them. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is commonly used between "check" and "out." The cashier is checking me out right now, so I'll be out to the car in a minute. Please check out these customers while I see if we have any more of those items in the back. Once several more cashiers arrived to check people out, the line finally started moving.
7. verb To complete the necessary steps so that one can borrow something from a system, such as a library. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is commonly used between "check" and "out." What books did you check out from the library this week? Can I check these books out, or are they reference only? I'm sorry, it looks like someone has already checked that book out.
8. verb, slang To look with interest at someone who one finds attractive. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is commonly used between "check" and "out." That cute guy over there is totally checking you out! Would you two just talk to each other already? You've been checking each other out all night! Why would that hot redhead be checking out nerds like us?
9. verb, slang To die. Doctor, I'm not ready to check out yet, so I'm willing to try your most aggressive approach. A: "Wait, Ed's still alive? Yikes, why did I think he'd already checked out?" B: "Probably because he's about 100 years old?" My mom is terrified of flying because she's convinced that's how she'll check out.
10. noun The time at which one must vacate one's hotel room. When used as a noun, the phrase is often written as one word. Checkout is at 11 AM, so you guys need to start packing now! What are we supposed to do after checkout? Our flight isn't for another 8 hours! You kids better have all your toys, because we can't come back to the room after checkout.
11. noun The area of a store at which purchases are made. When used as a noun, the phrase is often written as one word. I'm at the checkout right now, so I hope there isn't anything else you need from the store. Once several more cashiers arrived at the checkout, the line finally started moving. The impulse buys at the checkout always get me. No, no, I can't pick up anything else!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
check someone or something out (of something)
to do the paperwork necessary to remove someone or something from something or some place. I will have the manager check you out of the hotel and send you the bill. The librarian checked out the computer to me.
check someone or something out
to evaluate someone or something. That stock sounds good. I'll check it out. I'll check out the competition.
check something out
to examine or try something; to think about something. It's something we all have to be concerned with. Check it out. Check out the new comedy show on tonight.
check out (of something)
and check out (from something)to do whatever is necessary to leave a place and then depart, (check out (of something) is more frequent.) I will check out of the hotel at about noon. I will check out from the office and come right to where you are.
check out
[for someone or something] to prove to be correctly represented. Everything you told me checks out with what other witnesses said.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
check out
1. Record one's departure from a hotel by paying the bill, or from a conference or other function, as in As soon as my bags are packed I'll check out of the motel. [Early 1900s]
2. Leave hurriedly, make a quick exit, as in The minute I get paid I'm checking out. [Slang; 1920s]
3. Die, as in When he got cholera, he was sure he'd check out. [Slang; 1920s]
4. Withdraw an item after recording the withdrawal, as in I'll check out the tapes on your library card. [1930s]
5. Record, total the prices, and receive payment for a purchase, as in The cashier checked out and bagged my groceries in record time.
6. check something or someone out . Investigate or evaluate something or someone; observe carefully. For example, I don't know if you'll like the film; check it out yourself, or That man who's staring is probably just checking us out. [Slang; mid-1900s]
7. Pass close inspection, as in That rattle made me suspicious, but the repairman said the machine checked out completely.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
check out
v.
1. To inspect something so as to determine accuracy, quality, or other condition; test something: The technician checked out the computer system to make sure there were no errors in the software. I heard a strange noise, so I went downstairs to check it out.
2. To be verified or confirmed; pass inspection: Although we doubted it at first, the suspect's story checked out.
3. To look at someone or something that is surprising, interesting, or attractive: If you liked that movie, you should check out the director's other films. Check out the size of that diamond! I became jealous when I saw my spouse checking the lifeguard out.
4. To settle one's bill and leave a hotel or other place of lodging: The hotel requires that guests check out by noon so that the rooms can be cleaned before the next guests arrive.
5. To record and sum the prices of and receive payment for something being purchased or the items someone is purchasing at a retail store: The cashier checked out and bagged my order. We brought our items to the counter, and the sales clerk checked us out.
6. To undergo the process of purchasing some selected item or items from a retailer: It took us an hour to check out because there was only one register.
7. To borrow some item, as from a library, with the lender registering or keeping track of the borrowing: I checked out all four volumes, but could only read the first before they were due. If you don't finish that book before the library closes, you will have to check it out. I went to the video store and checked out two movies.
8. To lose awareness of one's surroundings; become inattentive: I got bored at the meeting and checked out until someone punched me on the arm.
9. Slang To die: When I check out, I want to be buried in a fancy coffin.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
check out, to
To die. This slangy phrase transfers other kinds of departure to leaving this life, as in “He’s had several heart attacks and could check out any day.” It dates from the 1920s. To check something/someone out, on the other hand, meaning to investigate something or someone, as in “Let’s check out this new restaurant,” dates from the 1940s.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer