spot check

• spot-check is another common spelling for the verb, somewhat less commonly used for the noun.

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spot check (plural spot checks)

1. (idiomatic) A cursory inspection or examination, especially of a sample of something.

   They do not measure each one, but they do a spot check on a few parts before shipping.

   • 1979 April 28, Jim Davis, “Unhealthy Attitudes”, in Gay Community News, page 12:

     Though the author consulted with two doctors (a spot check with another doctor reveals some medical information to be stale by at least five years), […]

• random sample

spot check (third-person singular simple present spot checks, present participle spot checking, simple past and past participle spot checked)

1. (idiomatic) To inspect or examine briefly, or by sampling.

   They spot check the rooms periodically for problems.

• checkpost, checkstop, stopcheck