ˌblank ˈcheque British English,
ˌblank ˈcheck American English noun [countable]1. a cheque that has been signed, but has not had the amount written on it
2. give somebody a blank cheque British English,
give somebody a blank check American English to give someone permission to do whatever they think is necessary in a particular situation
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
check to look at something carefully and thoroughly in order to make sure that it is correct, safe, or working properly:
I’ll just check the water level in the battery. The immigration officer checked their passports. We need to check the building for structural damage.examine to look at something carefully and thoroughly because you want to find out something about it:
Experts who examined the painting believe it is genuine. The police will examine the weapon for fingerprints.inspect to look at something carefully and thoroughly in order to make sure that it is correct, safe, or working properly, especially when it is your job to do this:
The building is regularly inspected by a fire-safety officer. Some insurance people have already been here to inspect the damage caused by the storm.go through something to examine something such as a document or plan from beginning to end, especially in order to check that it is correct:
You should go through the contract before you sign. I’ve finished my essay, but I just need to go through it to check for spelling mistakes.double-check to check something again so that you are completely sure it is correct, safe, or working properly:
I double-checked all my calculations and they seemed fine. Travellers should double-check flight information before setting off today.test to examine or use something in order to find out whether it works or what its qualities are, or in order to check that it is satisfactory:
Test your brakes to check they are working correctly. These products have not been tested on animals.monitor to carefully watch or keep checking someone or something in order to see what happens over a period of time:
Doctors monitored her progress during the night. Observers have been monitoring the situation in Burma closely.do a check I did a quick check of all the windows, locked the door and left.make a check (=do a check) One of the nurses makes regular checks during the night.run a check (=especially on something that is strange or suspicious) You should run a virus check before downloading from the Internet.carry out/conduct a check formal (=do or run a check) The police carried out a check on the car’s registration number.have a check British English Always have a final check to make sure you’ve got your ticket and passport.give something a check I’d like you to give the car a careful check.keep a check on somebody/something (=check something regularly) Keep a check on your baby’s temperature.go for a medical/dental etc check She advised me to go for a medical check.a quick check A quick check showed that someone had been in the room.a thorough/careful check An engineer gave the computer a thorough check.a routine check (=happening as a normal part of a process) I went to the doctor for a routine health check.a random check (=done without any definite pattern) Customs officials were carrying out random checks on cars.a regular check It’s vital to keep a regular check on your bank balance.a close check (=a careful one) His teacher was keeping a close check on his progress.a safety/security check The security checks at the airport can take a long time.a health/medical check People over 60 should have regular medical checks.a background check (=to get information about someone’s previous work, education, family etc) The company conducts background checks on security employees.a credit check (=to get information about someone’s financial history) Banks usually do a credit check before they give you a loan.a spot check (=a quick check of one thing in a group done to obtain information) They did a spot check on 160 vehicles to see how many passengers were wearing seat belts.a spell check (=a process in which a computer program tells you if you have spelt words wrong) Have you done a spell check on your essay?bill a piece of paper that tells you how much you must pay:
Many families are struggling to pay their bills. a credit card bill We got a huge phone bill. I asked the waiter to bring me the bill.invoice a document that lists the goods that a company has sent, or the services they have provided, and tells you how much you must pay. It is often sent from one company to another company:
Payment is due ten days after receipt of the invoice.tab informal a bill that is added up at the end of a period of time, especially for food or drinks that you have had in a restaurant or hotel:
People staying in the hotel can order food or drinks to be put on their tab.pay by cheque You can pay by cheque or credit card.write (out) a cheque I had to write a cheque for £360 yesterday.give somebody a cheque Can I give you a cheque, or would you prefer cash?make a cheque out/payable to somebody (=write someone's name on a cheque so it is paid to them) Who shall I make the cheque out to?enclose a cheque (=send it with a letter by post) I wrote to the company enclosing a cheque for £49.99.sign a cheque You've forgotten to sign the cheque.pay in a cheque (=pay a cheque into your bank account) I went to the bank to pay in a couple of cheques.cancel/stop a cheque (=stop a cheque from being paid to someone) Don't forget to phone the bank and cancel that cheque.cash a cheque (=exchange a cheque for the amount of money it is worth) The company had cashed the cheque but not sent the goods.accept a cheque (=take a cheque as a form of payment) We only accept cheques if you have a bank card.draw a cheque formal (=use a cheque to withdraw money from an account) Customers can draw cheques for any amount they like on their accounts.a cheque bounces (=is not paid by a bank because there is not enough money in the account) The cheque bounced because my account was overdrawn.a large cheque (=for a lot of money) Sara was delighted to receive a large cheque in the post.a blank cheque (=signed but without the amount written on it) I wasn't sure how much the tickets would be so I gave her a blank cheque.a post-dated cheque (=with a date on it that is later than the date you write the cheque) She wanted a post-dated cheque for the next three months' rent.a pay cheque (=one that you get for doing your job) My pay cheque arrived at the end of each week.a traveller's cheque (=a type of cheque that you can exchange for money in another country) Are you taking some traveller's cheques on holiday?a cheque book (=a book of cheques that your bank gives you to use) When you open a bank account you will be given your own cheque book.a cheque card (=a bank card shown when paying by cheque) Cheques must be accompanied by a valid cheque card.a cheque stub (=the part of a cheque that stays in your cheque book when you have written a cheque) Check your cheque stubs to see when you wrote the cheque. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲