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
Then on Saturday we can repeat the operation, if necessary, thus getting a double check on the route.
From The Ranger Boys and the Border Smugglers by Labelle, Claude A.
Just double-check that the spot it chooses is actually open — AI chatbots don’t always use the most up-to-date information.
From MarketWatch ● May 19, 2026
The first time he put the camera behind a row of fans, I had to look over the edge of my 3D glasses to double-check that those waving arms weren’t really in my theater.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026
It means bad AI output compounded by lazy humans who can’t be troubled to double-check.
From Barron's ● May 6, 2026
"If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and take a moment to double-check before making a payment," they said.
From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2026
Every time we'd restock some cookies or some dishwashing liquid, I would double-check to make sure it was still there, that my sweet silver babies were still safe.
From "Ghost" by Jason Reynolds
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
And someone on a hydraulic lift double-checks each hanging fixture.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2024
That’s one of many double-checks in the system.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 4, 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
Then she double-checks the record on the spindle.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
After hearing its predictions for the Sweet 16 round I double-checked the data.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 18, 2026
She added: "I double-checked I locked the door. I couldn't work out how he was in my room because I did everything that I would deem to be correct when you stay in a hotel."
From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2026
They double-checked that both of their names were on all accounts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 28, 2026
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
She double-checked her timetable; the brass tablet in her palm flickered, reminding her to go to the top floor of the Vision Tower to meet her class at 8:30 sharp.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
“Just double-checking my directions back into town,” I said.
From Slate ● Jun. 19, 2025
Charlotin believes that the superficially authentic tone of AI bots’ output may encourage overworked or inattentive lawyers to accept bogus citations without double-checking.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2025
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
Twinning is a way of double-checking gold is present by drilling next to the place it has been found and taking rock samples.
From BBC ● May 18, 2024
He fidgeted and fussed around, double-checking Brian’s figures, chewing on a pencil, pacing the floor.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
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.
