checks all the boxes

USAGE SUMMARY

"checks all the boxes" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone or something meets all expectations or criteria. For example, "This candidate's qualifications and experience checks all the boxes we were looking for in a project manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Goodbye Christopher Robin" checks all the boxes.

The New York Times

"After," a play by Michael McKeever that opened on Sunday at 59E59 Theaters, checks all the boxes.

The New York Times

"When you look at Mitt Romney's resume, of course he checks all the boxes on being qualified to be president," he said.

The New York Times

American Kennel Club vice-president Gina DiNardo said the Lab – family-friendly, athletic, comes in three different colours – "checks all the boxes".

The Guardian - Opinion

"He checks all the boxes," says Omair Sharif, senior US economist at Societe Generale.

BBC

It checks all the boxes for me: comfortable, functional and has smartphone notifications.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

It certainly doesn't check all the boxes.

Columbia University

The producers may have felt that they'd checked all the boxes.

The New Yorker

If you checked all the boxes the $30,685 base price would swell just to $32,295.

The New York Times

As I said, he checked all the boxes on my list.

The New Yorker

He said that on the census, he would check all the boxes that describe his heritage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "checks all the boxes" when you want to concisely convey that something meets all the necessary requirements or expectations. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "checks all the boxes" is widely understood, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "meets all criteria" or "satisfies all requirements" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "checks all the boxes" functions as an idiomatic expression. It is used as a verb phrase to describe something that fulfills all the necessary requirements or meets all the expectations. Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "checks all the boxes" is a common idiom used to express that something meets all requirements or expectations. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, maintaining a generally neutral register. While widely understood, using more formal alternatives like "meets all criteria" may be preferable in highly professional settings. Several sources, including Forbes and The New York Times, exemplify the phrase's application across diverse subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meets all criteria

Focuses on fulfilling a set of standards or benchmarks.

satisfies all requirements

Highlights the fulfillment of specific conditions or stipulations.

ticks all the right boxes

Similar meaning, using "ticks" instead of "checks", indicating agreement or affirmation.

fulfills all expectations

Emphasizes that something has met anticipated outcomes or standards.

covers all bases

Implies a comprehensive approach, ensuring everything is adequately addressed.

measures up in every way

Highlights that something is of good quality and fits the defined criteria.

leaves nothing to be desired

Suggests complete satisfaction, with no further needs or improvements.

is up to par in every aspect

Signifies that something meets or exceeds the expected level or standard.

passes muster

Indicates that something has been approved or deemed acceptable after scrutiny.

fits the bill perfectly

Indicates that something is exactly what is needed or suitable.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "checks all the boxes"?

It means that something meets all the necessary requirements or expectations. It is often used to describe a person, object, or situation that is ideal or perfectly suited for a particular purpose.

How can I use "checks all the boxes" in a sentence?

You can say, "This candidate's experience "checks all the boxes" for the job." This indicates that the candidate's experience meets all the requirements of the job.

What are some alternatives to "checks all the boxes"?

You can use alternatives like "meets all criteria", "satisfies all requirements", or "covers all bases" depending on the context.

Is "checks all the boxes" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "checks all the boxes" is better suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "meets all criteria" or "fulfills all expectations".