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check out

A2 neutral separable both
In simple words

To leave a hotel after paying your bill, to have a look at something interesting, or to notice an attractive person.

Literal meaning: To 'check' (record) yourself 'out' — to register your exit, opposite of checking in.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To officially leave and pay at a hotel, library, or similar institution.

"We need to check out of the hotel by eleven or we'll be charged for another night."

Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 idiomatic informal

To look at, examine, or investigate something, often because it seems interesting or worth knowing about.

"You should check out that new Thai place on the high street — the food is amazing."

""Check it out — it's a brand new world.""

— Aladdin (1992 Disney film), song 'A Whole New World'
Grammar: separable
3 B1 idiomatic informal

To stop paying attention; to mentally disengage from a situation.

"By the third hour of the meeting, half the team had completely checked out."

Grammar: inseparable
4 B1 idiomatic neutral

To be confirmed as correct or legitimate after being verified.

"The police ran his alibi and it checked out — he really was out of town that night."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

One of the most versatile phrasal verbs in English. The hotel sense is universal; the 'look at' sense is very common in everyday speech; the 'become mentally absent' sense is informal American English. The noun 'checkout' (one word) is used for the time of departure and for supermarket payment lines.

Commonly used with

hotel library book new restaurant website store time

Forms

Base
check out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
checks out
he/she/it
Past simple
checked out
yesterday
Past participle
checked out
have + pp
-ing form
checking out
continuous

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