complete, full, thorough | careful, close, rigorous, tight | cursory, quick | periodic, regular, routine | annual, daily, etc. | constant, continuous | random, spot
In a series of spot checks, police searched buses crossing the border.

cross (also ‘cross-check’), double (also ‘double-check’) | independent | visual
I did a quick visual check of the engine.

dental, fitness, health, medical | police, safety, security | identity | customs, immigration, passport | stock | quality | spell/spelling
I do a spell check on all my emails.

sound
The band wants to do a sound check before the concert.

carry out, conduct, do, give sth, have, make, run
I''ll just have a quick check to see if the letter''s arrived. | A thorough check is made before the luggage is put on the plane. | We''re running a police check on all applicants for the job.

keep, maintain
Police are keeping a close check on the house.

go for
I have to go for a dental check.

~ on
a routine check on the factory

natural
Leaving some fields fallow provided a natural check on insect populations.

act as, provide | hold sth in, keep sth in
You need to keep your temper in check!

~ on
The law acts as a check on people''s behaviour.

always, daily, regularly
Always check that the electricity is switched off before you start. | Check the engine oil level regularly.

carefully, thoroughly

had better, must, need to, should
We had better check that all the doors are locked.

against
I''ll need to check these figures against last year''s.

for
Check the roof for loose slates.

with
I checked with her to see if she needed any help.

be worth checking
It''s worth checking that there is no rust on the car.

check to see if/whether
He was just checking to see if I was in my room.