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Meaning trap

check out

examine or look at

to look at something or someone to see what they are like, or to examine something carefully.

phrasal verbB2common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

examine or look at

to look at something or someone to see what they are like, or to examine something carefully.

check out (leave a hotel)

Another meaning of 'check out' is 'leave a hotel'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

View meaning map

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • You should check out the new café on Main Street; it's really good.daily life
  • If you want to improve your English, you should check out some podcasts or YouTube channels that focus on language learning.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: check out (something/someone)

WrongCheck out this.

RightCheck this out.

With 'this/it', the object goes in the middle: 'check this out'.

Patterncheck out (something/someone)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff You should examine this newly opened establishment.

Natural You should check out the new place.

'Examine this newly opened establishment' is stiff; 'check it out' is casual and natural.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • check out + thing
    this outit outthe newthat

Don't confuse it

Not the same as 'check,' which can mean to test or verify something.

Try it in Daily Speak →