Phrasal verb
check on
Meanings
To contact or visit someone to make sure they are safe or doing well.
To look at something or monitor it to confirm its condition, progress, or status.
Definition
To check on someone or something means to get information to make sure they are safe, okay, or doing well.
If you check on someone or something, you look in on them or contact them to make sure everything is okay. You might do this because you are worried, responsible for something, or want an update. It often involves a quick visit, message, or call to confirm the situation.
Examples
- I’ll check on my neighbor after the storm to make sure she’s okay.
- Can you check on the soup and see if it’s boiling yet?
- He checked on his flight status before leaving for the airport.
- They checked on their dog during the trip using a home camera.
- She checked on the kids quietly after they went to bed.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say “check about” instead of “check on” when they mean to make sure someone or something is okay.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.