in check

phrase

: under restraint or control
trying to keep his emotions in check

Examples of in check in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the labs have not yet come calling for the reproduction pipeline, which will be shared on White Circle’s GitHub to help policymakers assess whether AI safety laws are needed to keep frontier labs in check. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 Keeping the condition in check can help protect healthy tissues and support overall health, experts say. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 But this serum is especially great for balancing sebum levels and keeping blemishes in check thanks to its high concentration of niacinamide (15%) paired with acne-fighting zinc PCA and soothing allantoin. — Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026 Beneficial species help digest food, hold plaque in check and support a balanced ecosystem that feeds into whole-body health. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in check

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1608, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in check was circa 1608

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In check.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20check. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!