checks box

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   Marks a square on a form or list to show a choice or that something is done.

   Grammar: This is the third-person singular form. The base form is 'check a box' or 'check the box'.

   Patterns

   • checks a box on a form
   • checks the box for something

   She checks the box for 'yes' and signs the form.

   Every time he checks a box, the computer saves his answer.

   The nurse checks the box on the medical chart after each test.

2. 2phraseidiomdisapprovinginformal

   Does a required task only to seem complete, without real interest or care.

   Grammar: This disapproving use often appears in the phrase 'checks the boxes' or 'checks a box'.

   Patterns

   • checks the boxes
   • just checks a box

   The company checks the boxes for safety, but accidents still happen.

   He checks the boxes on the training list without paying attention.

   The government checks a box for diversity, but nothing really changes.

Word forms

Common combinations

checks a box on a form

She checks a box on the form to show her answer.

checks the box for yes

He checks the box for yes and moves on.

just checks a box

The manager just checks a box and does not read the report.

checks all the boxes

The new employee checks all the boxes for the training program.

Synonyms and how they differ

ticks a box

British English uses 'ticks a box' for the same literal or disapproving meaning.

marks a box

This is a more neutral way to describe the physical action of marking a square.

Word family

check the box phrase

Base form of the idiom, used for the literal or disapproving action.

box-checking noun

The activity of doing tasks only to seem complete.

Commonly confused: checks box or check box?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “checks box”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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