1334 Check out (something/someone)

Explanation

A versatile phrasal verb with several distinct meanings:
1. (Informal) To look at, examine, or take notice of something or someone, often out of interest, curiosity, or appraisal. Can imply romantic/sexual interest when directed at a person.
2. (Investigate) To investigate, verify, or find out information about something.
3. (Borrow) To formally borrow an item from a collection, like books from a library or equipment from storage.
4. (Leave Hotel) To complete the departure process from a hotel, usually involving settling the bill.
5. (Lose Focus Informal) To stop paying attention; to become mentally absent or disengaged.
6. (Die Slang, Dated/Dark) To die. (Usage note: Can be considered insensitive or overly casual).

Origin

Derived from the verb check (to examine, verify, control). The particle out modifies the meaning in various ways:
Out can imply removal (library books), completion (hotel departure), thoroughness (investigation), or directing attention outward (looking at).
The informal look at sense emerged around the mid-20th century in American English.
The lose focus sense likely relates to mentally checking out of a situation.
The slang die sense possibly relates to checking out of life, like checking out of a hotel permanently.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal (for sense 1: 'look at'):

Scope (it/them) out (Examine, assess, often before committing)
Peep this (Look at this, observe, originates in AAVE)
Get a load of this/that (Look at this surprising, impressive, or ridiculous thing)
Clock (UK slang notice, look at, often quickly or judgmentally)
Eyeball it (Look at something to make a rough estimate or judgment)

Slang/Informal (for sense 2: 'investigate'):

Suss (it) out (UK/Aus figure out, investigate)
Dig into (Investigate more deeply)

Slang (for sense 5: 'lose focus'):

Zone out
Space out / Space cadet (Noun for someone prone to spacing out)
Tune out

Slang (for sense 6: 'die', use with extreme caution):

Kick the bucket
Bite the dust
Cash in one's chips
Buy the farm
Croak
Snuff it (UK slang)

Milder/Standard (depending on context):

(1) Look at, Examine, Observe, Notice
(2) Investigate, Verify, Examine, Look into, Research
(3) Borrow, Withdraw, Take out
(4) Depart, Settle the account, Vacate
(5) Lose concentration, Become disengaged, Daydream
(6) Pass away, Decease, Perish, Expire

Situational Appropriateness

1. (Look at): Informal. Using it to comment on a person's appearance (checking someone out) is very informal and can be perceived as objectifying or inappropriate, especially in professional or formal settings.
2. (Investigate): Informal to semi-formal. Common in everyday speech and many work contexts.
3. & 4. (Borrow/Leave Hotel): Neutral, standard usage in those specific contexts.
5. (Lose Focus): Informal.
6. (Die): Very informal slang. Can sound crass, insensitive, or disrespectful depending on the context and relationship to the deceased. Generally avoid in formal situations or when expressing sincere condolences. Pass away is a safer, more respectful alternative.

Misunderstanding Warnings

The primary challenge is the sheer number of different meanings. Context is absolutely crucial for interpretation.
Non-native speakers might overuse the informal look at sense (1) in situations where a more formal verb is appropriate, or they might be confused when encountering the other standard meanings (2, 3, 4) or the informal ones (5, 6).
Special care is needed with sense 6 (die) due to its potential insensitivity.

Examples

1. (Look at) Hey, check out this cool website I found! / Did you see him checking you out at the party?
2. (Investigate) Could you check out that weird noise coming from the attic? / The detective needs to check out the suspect's alibi.
3. (Borrow) I need to go to the library to check out some books for my research paper.
4. (Leave Hotel) What time do we have to check out tomorrow morning?
5. (Lose Focus) The presentation was so boring, I completely checked out after five minutes.
6. (Die) I heard old Mr. Henderson finally checked out last night after his long illness. (Use with caution)

Dialogue

# (Meaning 1: Look at)

Maria: Check out my new phone! It's got an amazing camera.

Leo: Wow, sweet! Let me see. Yeah, the picture quality is awesome.

# (Meaning 2: Investigate)

Boss: Can you check out why the server response time spiked this morning?

Tech: Sure, I'll check out the logs right away and see what I can find.

# (Meaning 4: Leave Hotel)

Guest: Hi, I'd like to check out, please. Room 412.

Receptionist: Certainly. Did you use the minibar last night? Okay, your total comes to $250. How would you like to pay?

Response Patterns

Highly dependent on the meaning:
1. (Look at): Expressing interest (Wow, cool!), indifference (Meh.), opinion (I don't like it.).
2. (Investigate): Agreement (Okay, I'll go look.), reporting findings (It was just the wind.).
3. (Borrow): Procedural responses (Sure, let me scan them. / Your library card, please?).
4. (Leave Hotel): Procedural responses (Certainly, sir/madam. Room number? / Here is your final bill.).
5. (Lose Focus): Sympathy (Yeah, it dragged on forever.), gentle reproach (Hey, snap out of it!).
6. (Die): Expressions of condolence (Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.), asking for details (Really? When?).

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

1. (Look at): Discussion about the item/person (What do you think of it? She looks nice.).
2. (Investigate): Reporting back the results of the investigation.
3. (Borrow): Completing the borrowing process (scanning items, due dates).
4. (Leave Hotel): Paying the bill, returning keys, leaving the premises.
5. (Lose Focus): Attempting to re-engage the person's attention.
6. (Die): Discussing the circumstances, funeral arrangements, sharing memories.

Conversation Starter

Yes, for Meaning 1 (Look at): Check out this article! or Check out that band! is a common way to initiate sharing something.
No, generally not for the other meanings, which occur within specific contexts.

Intonation

1 & 2 (Look at/Investigate): Often stressed on both CHECK and OUT, sometimes with excitement or urgency. CHECK OUT this view! / Can you CHECK it OUT?
3 & 4 (Borrow/Leave Hotel): More neutral, main stress often on CHECK. I need to CHECK out these books. / Let's CHECK out now.
5 (Lose Focus): Flatter tone, stress often on CHECKED. He just totally CHECKED out.
6 (Die): Often spoken in a lower, more somber or hushed (though still informal) tone. He checked out peacefully.

Generation Differences

1. (Look at): Extremely common, especially among younger generations (Millennials, Gen Z), but widely understood by all.
Other standard meanings (2, 3, 4) are used across all generations.
5. (Lose Focus): Common informal usage across most generations.
6. (Die): Understood by most, but perhaps feels more dated (mid-20th century slang) or flippant; usage varies individually.

Regional Variations

All meanings are prevalent in North American English.
Other regions (UK, Aus, etc.) use them too, but might prefer alternatives for some senses. For example, have a look at might be more common than check out (sense 1) in British English. Suss out is a common UK/Aus alternative for check out (sense 2).

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