check out

British  

verb

1. (intr) to pay the bill and depart, esp from a hotel

2. (intr) to depart from a place; record one's departure from work

3. to investigate or prove to be in order after investigation

   the police checked out all the statements

   their credentials checked out

4. informal (tr) to have a look at; inspect

   check out the wally in the pink shirt

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noun

1. 1. the latest time for vacating a room in a hotel, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      checkout time

2. a counter, esp in a supermarket, where customers pay

check out Idioms  

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. . 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 .

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Example Sentences

She used the time to check out downtown Scottsdale and visit her first In-N-Out Burger.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Herman, who founded and runs the nonprofit Foundation Aiding the Elderly, says the best way to check out a nursing home for a loved one is by making a personal inspection.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026

Afterward, you can check out a live show next door at the Lodge Room.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

Littler almost sent the crowd wild with a nine-dart finish, only to miss double 15 and see Clayton return to the oche to check out the 41 remaining in an incredible leg.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

“Is, check out all the snaps,” Julia says to Isabella.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée

Related Words

• inspect
• investigate