All phrasal verbs
check
/tʃɛk/6 phrasal verbsThe plain verb means to verify or inspect.
Check in and check out are the hotel and airport pair, and they keep those roles almost everywhere: IN when you arrive and register, OUT when you leave. But check out has a second life meaning “take a look at this”, which is far more common in casual speech.
Check up on is different again — it means verifying that someone is behaving, and it carries a hint of suspicion.
Side by side
Every CHECK phrasal verb, with the one line that keeps it apart from its siblings. Tap any one to open it.
| Phrasal verb | Means | How to remember it |
|---|---|---|
| check inNo object2 meanings | register on arrival; make contact to report | IN = you enter the system. |
| check outBoth3 meanings | leave a hotel; investigate; take a look at | OUT = you leave — or you look outward at something. |
| check up onInseparable | verify that someone is doing what they should | UP ON = surveillance, with a hint of doubt. |
| check offSeparable | mark an item as completed on a list | OFF = strike it from the list. |
| check overSeparable | examine something thoroughly | OVER = a pass across the whole. |
| check withInseparable | consult someone before acting | WITH names the person you consult. |