What Does “Check sb out” Mean?
“Check sb out” means to look at someone carefully or to investigate someone’s appearance or behavior. It is often used informally when noticing someone or examining them closely.
Introduction
The phrase “check sb out” is a common English phrasal verb used in everyday speech. It usually means to look at someone with interest, often because you find them attractive or want to learn more about them. Sometimes, it can also mean to investigate or verify information about a person. Understanding the check sb out meaning helps learners use this phrase naturally in conversations. It is informal and often found in casual contexts like talking about people you meet or notice. Knowing how to use “check sb out” correctly can improve your fluency and help you sound more like a native speaker.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: check somebody out
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to look at someone carefully or to investigate them
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Check sb out” is a separable phrasal verb. This means the object (sb = somebody) can come between the verb and the particle, or after them.
- Check someone out
- Check out someone
Examples:
- I want to check her out.
- I want to check out her.
Both forms are correct, but the first one is more common.
How to Use “Check sb out”?
You can use “check sb out” when you want to say that you are looking at someone carefully, often because you find them interesting or attractive. It can also mean to investigate or learn more about a person, usually in informal contexts.
It is common in spoken English, especially among young people. For example, if you see someone attractive at a party, you might say, “I’m going to check her out.” In other situations, like at work, it could mean looking into someone’s background or skills.
Examples
- He checked her out at the coffee shop because she looked familiar.
- Did you check out the new guy in our class?
- She always checks out people before making friends.
- We need to check him out before hiring.
- They checked out the singer’s performance last night.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I check out her.
- Correct: I check her out.
- Incorrect: She check somebody out yesterday.
- Correct: She checked somebody out yesterday.
Note: Use the correct tense and remember the separable structure.
Differences / Synonyms
- Look at sb: Just to see someone, less focused or intense than “check sb out.”
- Size sb up: To judge someone’s character or ability, more about evaluation than appearance.
- Check sb out: More informal; can mean looking at someone physically or investigating them.
“Check sb out” is more casual and often related to attraction or informal investigation.
Common Collocations
- Check someone out
- Check him out
- Check her out
- Check the guy out
- Check the new student out
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of check sb out:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Did you see the new guy at the party last night?
Ben: Yeah, I checked him out. He seems really cool.
Anna: I think he’s cute. I’m going to check him out more next time.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of “check sb out”:
- She __________ the new teacher during the first class.
- We should __________ the candidates carefully before hiring.
- He likes to __________ people at the gym.
Answers: checked out, check out, check out
FAQs
- Q: Can “check sb out” mean to investigate someone?
A: Yes, it can mean to look into or verify information about someone.
- Q: Is “check sb out” formal or informal?
A: It is informal and mostly used in casual conversations.
- Q: Can I say “check out him”?
A: It’s better to say “check him out” because it sounds more natural.
- Q: What is the difference between “check sb out” and “look at sb”?
A: “Check sb out” is more focused or interested, while “look at sb” is more general.
- Q: Is “check sb out” used only for people?
A: Mostly yes, but it can also be used for things or places when investigating or examining.
