a second examination or verification
chess a simultaneous check from two pieces brought about by moving one piece to give check and thereby revealing a second check from another piece
An Americanism dating back to 1950–55
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I kept having to double check his age because his movement, decision-making and passing ability was incredible for an 18-year-old.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
It said various errors were found in the record-keeping, with inspectors advising: “He just needs to double check his work.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026
He suggested airline passengers double check with their airline to make sure their reservation is intact.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 28, 2026
Moreover, workers may also have outsize expectations around AI’s automation capabilities, with many of the current tools still requiring workers to double check the completed work for errors.
From Barron's ● Mar. 27, 2026
"Just as well to have a double check nonetheless," Dane said.
From The Terrible Answer by Hill, Arthur G.
It means bad AI output compounded by lazy humans who can’t be troubled to double-check.
From Barron's ● May 6, 2026
Always double-check the latest guidance from the IRS.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 24, 2026
Olson said he is now more inclined to double-check AI output after learning Gemini had invented the entire exchange.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026
Sasha-Jay is urging people to "be cautious about who you interact with online", requesting users to keep profiles private, double-check accounts, report fake profiles immediately and protect personal information.
From BBC ● Mar. 11, 2026
I double-check Ma’s list: extra flour, extra jerky, dried apples, rice, crackers… extra coffee, cornmeal, bacon, and beans… extra kerosene, extra lard, sugar, salt, and vinegar.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Even though she has filters set up, Tabacnic always double-checks to make sure her matches are actually where the dating app says they are.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 3, 2026
For example, one arm of the AI generates the response, and another instantly double-checks it to make sure it’s safe before letting it through to the user.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2025
In Colorado, Dr. Michelle Barron said the consistently low COVID-19 hospitalizations prompted smiles among staff, even as she double-checks the numbers to make sure they’re actually correct.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 1, 2022
That’s why a music conductor I know always double-checks with himself just before he hears “maestro to the pit” and must head to the podium to conduct an opera.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 2, 2021
Jamie double-checks the locks while Dylan checks A’Leia’s gear.
From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
In her letter to the DWP, she said she was concerned that Tamara Logan's benefits were cut in error despite being double-checked before a final decision was made.
From BBC ● Jan. 28, 2026
A few years ago you might have double-checked that stat.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 20, 2026
Afterward, he double-checked the figures against Bloomberg data and found they were largely consistent.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 5, 2025
The film’s access coordinator Chantelle Nassari also equipped Bode with a fully accessible trailer, double-checked the day’s pathways and ensured the actor had what she needed to be able to perform.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2024
I tossed my Kellner & Newton Messenger Bag on the conveyer belt, double-checked all my pockets, and waited for Laleh to get the all-clear so I could take my turn in the scanner.
From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram
The state appears to have presented a figure without fully explaining its methodology or double-checking the information, said Becker, who is a former senior trial attorney in the voting section of the U.S.
From Salon ● Oct. 15, 2024
Many of the studies dated back to the 19th century, before the advent of modern scientific imaging, or cited claims from those older studies made without double-checking them.
From Science Daily ● May 23, 2024
For him, grappling with the problem properly will involve training people to be more critical about the content they are consuming, including viewing everything with "a healthy scepticism", and double-checking sources.
From BBC ● Mar. 26, 2024
Are you double-checking to make sure your shoes fit this year?
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2024
“Unofficially. Off the record,” Mrs. Richardson assured her friend, tucking the phone receiver against her shoulder and double-checking that her office door was shut.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
