check your pants

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "check your pants" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a context where someone is advised to inspect their clothing, possibly for an item that may have fallen or for a specific reason related to their pants. Example: "Before you leave the house, make sure to check your pants for any loose change or items you might have forgotten."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

So sometimes the teachers would make us all sit in a big circle and would walk around and physically check your pants for wetness.

Huffington Post

Check your pants.

WikiHow

Check your pants for a button above the zipper area.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Check that your pants are not too long.

WikiHow

One day you woke up, watched the news, put on a pair of pants, checked your bank account, and paid a bill.

Huffington Post

So as our public health system erodes, the well of government funding runs dry, and strains of certain STDs become increasingly more resistant to antibiotics, it's probably best to wear a condom, regularly get yourself checked, or keep your pants zipped until the world is overrun with life-like sex robots.

Vice

Alternatively, check out Who Made Your Pants, an ethical lingerie brand that buys end-of-season fabrics sold on by big underwear companies and turns them into underwear, reducing waste and providing employment to primarily refugee women.

The Guardian

Check if it touches your pants at the bottom and is tight around your neck on the upper side.

WikiHow

Check that any lining of your pants is not bunched up or pulled askew by the position of the patch.

WikiHow

However, be sure to check the care label on your pants first; if it specifically states that they should be washed in cold water, then use cold water.

WikiHow

You have to unbutton your pants and they check to see if you have anything in your [vaginal] area.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "check your pants", be specific about what you are checking for (e.g., "check your pants for your wallet").

Common error

Avoid using "check your pants" without context. Always clarify the purpose of the check to prevent misinterpretations. For example, instead of saying "Check your pants", say "Check your pants for stains" if you are checking for stains.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "check your pants" primarily functions as an imperative, giving a direct instruction to someone to inspect their trousers. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in contexts ranging from physical inspections to finding lost items.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "check your pants" is a common and grammatically correct imperative phrase used to instruct someone to inspect their trousers. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently found in Wiki and News & Media contexts, suggesting an informal register. While it's a clear and direct instruction, providing specific context will reduce ambiguity and ensure your message is well understood. Remember to use more formal alternatives like "inspect your trousers" in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look over your pants

Similar to "take a look", but more concise.

take a look at your pants

Adds a more descriptive action, "take a look", before the main phrase.

inspect your trousers

Replaces "pants" with a more formal synonym, "trousers".

scan your pants

Implies a quick and thorough search of the pants.

give your pants a once-over

Uses the idiom "give a once-over" for a quick inspection.

check your trousers pockets

Focuses specifically on inspecting the pockets of the pants.

examine your lower garment

Uses a more general term, "lower garment", instead of "pants".

see if your pants are okay

Checks the condition of the pants.

make sure your pants are alright

More emphatic way to check if the condition of the pants.

verify your pants

Implies a confirmation of a feature of the pants.

FAQs

What does "check your pants" mean?

The phrase "check your pants" means to inspect your trousers, often to look for something you might have placed in your pockets or to ensure they are in order. It's a direct command to examine your pants.

When is it appropriate to say "check your pants"?

It's appropriate to use "check your pants" when you need someone to verify if they have something in their pockets or to inspect their appearance. For example, you might say, "Before you leave, "check your pants" for your keys."

Are there more formal alternatives to "check your pants"?

Yes, you could use more formal alternatives like "inspect your trousers" or "examine your attire" depending on the context. These alternatives are more suitable for professional or formal settings.

What's the difference between "check your pants" and "look in your pockets"?

"Check your pants" is a broader instruction to inspect the entire garment, while "look in your pockets" specifically directs attention to the pockets for something that might be inside.