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

If you can swing it, check out local hotels for separate lodgings, which may be preferable to your overcrowded childhood home or sleeping on a couch in someone’s living room.

From Salon

It can be tempting to apply for a store-branded credit card when checking out, especially if doing so gives you a discount on the purchase you’re making that day.

From MarketWatch

“With the heels I’m wearing all the time, you can see the corns,” she says, looking down to check out the pedicurist’s progress.

From Los Angeles Times

The administration official said original projected pay dates were later, but the dates changed after the White House pushed to get checks out as soon as possible.

From MarketWatch

I checked out, darted to the coffee shop across the street, and sketched the thing in my notebook: a soft, sturdy pastry — probably yeasted — layered with cheese and black pepper.

From Salon

Related Words

• inspect
• investigate