put in check

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put in check" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used when you want to describe the act of being restrained or reigned in due to an opposing factor. For example: "The CEO's aggressive spending was put in check when the board of directors vetoed his latest proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Wall Street needs to be put in check.

The New Yorker

On Saturday, Ryan's carefully cultivated bravado crossed into unattractive frat-boy behavior that the organization had better put in check.

The New York Times - Sports

"All the parts of ourselves that need to be contained or put in check or regulated in our day-to-day lives all fall by the wayside.

The New York Times - Magazine

We call ourselves liberals … [but] we must put in check, not through brute force, but through active and vibrant intellectual discourse, these [extremist] aberrations".

The Guardian

The soldiers have rarely been put in check by civilian institutions that remain chronically weak, so politicians often depend on the good graces, or otherwise, of the men who carry the guns.

The New York Times

To some extent, his nerves had been put in check by the brief set of lessons he and Ms. Lieberman had taken, and the dance steps they had practiced ahead of their Feb.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"It's just we had to put in checks and balances to save schools from themselves".

Los Angeles Times

As the president called for today, we can limit access to the deadliest guns and ammunition, and we can put in checks to keep guns out of the wrong hands.

Huffington Post

"It's clear we need to put in another check for malicious intent," Riverside's president, John Laramy, said through a spokeswoman.

The New York Times

The SLC said it had since put in place additional quality checks.

BBC

After putting in the check marks, quiz yourself, but only on the words with the check marks.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put in check" when you want to emphasize that a force, person, or thing is being actively restrained or controlled, especially when it could otherwise become excessive or problematic. For example, "The company's spending was put in check by the new budget restrictions."

Common error

Avoid using "put in check" when you intend to describe the act of initiating control, rather than the state of being controlled. For example, instead of "The new regulations put the company in check", consider "The new regulations were put in place to put the company in check."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put in check" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of controlling, limiting, or restraining something or someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples show that it can be applied to abstract concepts, people, and even organizations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put in check" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to describe the act of restraining or controlling something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically sound. Its usage is most frequent in News & Media sources. When writing, consider the context to make sure you are emphasizing active restraint, rather than simply describing a state. Alternative phrases like "keep under control" or "curb" can be considered to provide nuances in meaning. "Put in check" is a valuable phrase to understand and use for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep under control

Emphasizes maintaining control over something to prevent it from escalating.

curb

Suggests restraining or limiting something, often an undesirable activity or tendency.

restrain

Focuses on holding back or limiting someone or something.

control

Highlights the act of directing or regulating something.

limit

Indicates setting a boundary or restriction on something.

regulate

Implies controlling something according to rules or laws.

keep in line

Focuses on ensuring someone or something conforms to expected behavior.

hold in restraint

Emphasizes the act of holding something back from acting freely.

keep within bounds

Suggests maintaining something within acceptable limits.

bring under control

Highlights the action of gaining control over a previously uncontrolled situation.

FAQs

How can I use "put in check" in a sentence?

The phrase "put in check" is used to indicate that something is being restrained or controlled. For example, "The government implemented policies to "keep inflation in check"" or "The manager's authority was "brought under control" by the board of directors".

What are some alternatives to "put in check"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "keep under control", "curb", or "restrain" as alternatives to "put in check".

Is it correct to say "place in check" instead of "put in check"?

While "place in check" might be understood, "put in check" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "Place in check" is less frequently used and may sound slightly awkward in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "put in check" and "hold accountable"?

"Put in check" implies restraining or controlling something, while "hold accountable" means making someone responsible for their actions. Although related to controlling, "hold accountable" specifically focuses on responsibility and consequences.