check on
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on
Meanings
Make sure someone or something is safe or all right
Why “on”? Eyes or thoughts reach one point and stay there.
“I'll check on the baby.”
“Can you check on the soup while I answer the door?”
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“I'll check on the baby.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
check in
A contrast learners often mix up
Register at a hotel, airport or event; Hand over luggage to be loaded onto a plane; Briefly contact someone to update them
check up
A contrast learners often mix up
Check later to make sure someone or something is okay
bear on
Same on pattern: attention
Be relevant or related to something
chew on
Same on pattern: attention
Think carefully about something for a while
dwell on
Same on pattern: attention
Spend too much time thinking or talking about something
focus on
Same on pattern: attention
Direct attention or effort on something
look on
Same on pattern: attention
Watch something happen without taking part; Regard or consider someone or something in a particular way
spy on
Same on pattern: attention
Watch someone secretly
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “check on”.
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