Check and Balance

What Does "Check and Balance" Mean?

"Check and balance" is an English idiom. It means "procedures or systems in place to ensure that no one branch or part of it can gain undue power or influence."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "check and balance" used in a sentence:

• The three branches of government serve as checks and balances.
• We need to implement checks and balances in our project.
• The audit process serves as a check and balance for the company's finances.

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Check and Balance" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

A Quick Test

You now know what "check and balance" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see! Show Instructions