check something 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!