body check: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal (sports), Formal (medical)
Quick answer
What does “body check” mean?
A physical collision or impact delivered with the body, typically in sports, to block or impede an opponent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A physical collision or impact delivered with the body, typically in sports, to block or impede an opponent.
A thorough physical examination of a person's body by a medical professional; also used metaphorically for a detailed inspection or assessment of a system or object.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In sports, 'body check' is strongly associated with North American ice hockey. In British English, similar actions in rugby or football (soccer) are more often described as a 'shoulder charge', 'tackle', or 'challenge'. The medical meaning is understood in both varieties.
Connotations
In AmE sports context, it connotes a legal, strategic play. In BrE, it may sound like a North Americanism. The medical meaning is neutral in both.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American and Canadian English due to ice hockey's prominence. Less common in everyday British English outside of specific sports or medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “body check” in a Sentence
[Subject] + body-check + [Object] (verb form)give/receive/have + a + body checkVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body check” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The defender was penalised for body-checking the attacker off the ball.
- He body-checked him into the advertising hoardings.
American English
- He got a penalty for body-checking the goalie.
- She body-checked her opponent to regain possession.
adverb
British English
- He was tackled body-checkingly hard. (very rare/awkward)
American English
- He hit him body-checkingly into the glass. (very rare/awkward)
adjective
British English
- It was a clear body-check offence. (less common)
- The body-check rule is strictly enforced.
American English
- That was a textbook body-check move.
- He's known for his body-check technique.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'We need to give the financial report a full body check.'
Academic
Used in sports science literature to describe specific contact techniques.
Everyday
Most common in discussions about ice hockey or visiting the doctor.
Technical
Precise term in ice hockey rules and regulations; standard term for a comprehensive medical examination.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “body check”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body check”
- Using 'body check' to mean a quick look in the mirror (use 'check oneself in the mirror').
- Confusing it with 'body cheque' (incorrect spelling).
- Using the sports term in non-contact sport contexts where it sounds unnatural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as two separate words ('body check') for the noun. The verb form is often hyphenated ('body-check').
Yes, but usually as a metaphorical extension, meaning a thorough inspection or analysis of something non-physical (e.g., 'a body check of the company's security protocols'). This usage is less common.
A 'body check' primarily uses the torso/shoulder to separate an opponent from the puck or ball, often without wrapping the arms. A 'tackle' typically involves using the arms to grasp and bring an opponent down. The terms are sport-specific.
No, that is not standard. For the medical meaning, you 'have' or 'get' a body check. For the sports meaning, you 'deliver' or 'receive' a body check. The verb implies an action performed on another.
A physical collision or impact delivered with the body, typically in sports, to block or impede an opponent.
Body check is usually informal (sports), formal (medical) in register.
Body check: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi ˌtʃɛk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi ˌtʃɛk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a hockey player's BODY being CHECKED against the boards.
Conceptual Metaphor
INSPECTION IS A PHYSICAL IMPACT (e.g., 'The auditors body-checked our accounts.')
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'body check' LEAST likely to be used?