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

It looks like any other gas station, until you check out the price-per-gallon on the digital sign.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

If you want to know why, check out this chart.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

It is not yet clear when they will check out and move - either to different accommodation, back to Iran or to a third country.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

I check out the chalkboards and realize that one has rules for debate.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Related Words

• inspect
• investigate