check please

USAGE SUMMARY

"check please" is a correct phrase in written English, typically used when asking for the bill at a restaurant or other establishment.
It is considered a polite and concise way to ask for the check. Example: After finishing their meal, the couple signaled to their waiter and said, "Check please."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Reality check, please.

The New York Times

Hypocrisy check, please!

The New York Times - Magazine

It means "Check, please".

The New York Times - Food

Well, can you check please?

The Guardian - Tech

You know, you'll check, please check it.

The New York Times

"Can I have the check, please?" The waiter obliged.

The New York Times

For some this will certainly translate as "Check, please".

The New York Times - Books

Just the check, please, when you have a chance.

The New Yorker

The CPA published a report in 2010 called Check Please!

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Checks, Please.

Forbes

5 megapixel camera, T-Mobile USA friendly 1700mhz bands, and running Maemo 5? Three checks, please.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase in North America, prefer "check" over "bill" for food service, though academic contexts often use "check" for physical payment instruments.

Common error

Avoid using "check please" in the United Kingdom or Australia if you want to sound like a local; in those regions, "the bill please" is the standard request.

Linguistic Context

In linguistic terms, "check please" functions as an elliptical imperative. It removes the verb "bring" or "give" to create a concise, functional request. Ludwig AI notes that this is the primary way individuals signal the conclusion of a service transaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Analysis from Ludwig and Ludwig AI confirms that "check please" is a robust and universally accepted phrase in American English. It is predominantly used in the hospitality industry to request a bill, though its usage extends into administrative and academic sectors when referring to payment by check. While typically informal due to its concise structure, it remains a polite and efficient tool for communication in nearly all social and professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The bill please

More common in British English and European contexts

Check, please!

Adds emphasis often used as an idiomatic exclamation to exit a situation

Can I have the check?

Phrased as a full interrogative sentence for increased politeness

Could you bring the check?

Uses a modal verb to soften the request

May we have the bill?

Used for plural groups in more formal dining settings

I would like the check

A direct declarative statement of intent

Excuse me, the check?

Includes an attention-grabber for a busy server

I am ready for the check

Signals the end of the meal phase

Tab please

Specifically used in bars or establishments where an ongoing account is kept

We're ready to settle up

Idiomatic expression indicating readiness to pay the total

FAQs

How do I use "check please" in a restaurant?

You can use "check please" as a standalone request to your server or embed it in a sentence like "can I have the check please".

Is it "check please" or "the check please"?

Both are correct. Using "the" makes it slightly more formal, as seen in "the check please", while the shorter version is very common in casual dining.

What is the difference between "check please" and "the bill please"?

The difference is primarily regional. "check please" is standard in American English, whereas "the bill please" is the preferred term in British English.

When should I use "tab please" instead?

You should use "tab please" when you are at a bar where you intend to keep an account open for multiple drinks, rather than a sit-down meal.