A "check-in-the-box" and is an action or mandate that a group or authority takes when it doesn't want to be liable for something, so they put on an act that everyone secretly knows is functionally meaningless but has enough good intention so that criticism is often viciously attacked. In the end, if a worst-case scenario presents itself, the group or authority in question can claim they took all the possible precautions they had at their disposal and are not liable for damages while exclaiming how sorry they are things didn't happen as they would have liked. This usually leads to calls for more feel-good protocols and additional checks-in-the-box actions, and if the group or authorities' performance is good enough can even lead to the group or authority being lauded for their benevolence, all the while the people forgetting it was the original check-in-the-box that might have caused the crisis.
Person A: Do you think installing a sign warning people that there is no lifeguard on duty will help prevent drowning?
Person B: (Being honest) Of course not, but it's a check-in-the-box, so we won't be responsible if anything else does happen.
Person A: You're so cynical.
Person B: (Being honest) Of course not, but it's a check-in-the-box, so we won't be responsible if anything else does happen.
Person A: You're so cynical.
by LaughingGhost February 23, 2021
Get the Check-in-the-Box mug.When someone checks into a location on 4square as they're driving by, rather than when they're actually at the location.
by Miss Behaved May 27, 2010
Get the check-in driveby mug.The term used to describe the monotonous, rigorous, stab-your-eye-with-a-pencil military process of completing useless routine activities to be rewarded with a check mark on a piece of paper.
"Yeah! In-clearance took 2 days and I filled out the same form 8 times, but at least I got my check in the box for another year!"
by JWatts17 August 13, 2012
Get the Check in the Box mug.by smadav August 11, 2008
Get the Check-in chick mug.when you check some punk ass motherfucker for coming up on your homies and do something like break his windshield with a heavy rock or beating the shit out of them senseless with your boys
by raiderfan42069 May 31, 2023
Get the check in move mug.by Chrish77 October 27, 2018
Get the Chrish Check-in mug.when you 'check in' using the Facebook Places facility, but you are not actually at the place you checked into.
This could be to fool people into thinking you are in one location when you are in fact in a different location close by.
You might also do this to appear cool on facebook by checking into exciting sounding locations. It allows a person to 'check into' a bar or club near where they live, when they are in fact at home in bed.
You might also check in whilst in a car.... driving past a location. hence the definition of drive by check-in
This could be to fool people into thinking you are in one location when you are in fact in a different location close by.
You might also do this to appear cool on facebook by checking into exciting sounding locations. It allows a person to 'check into' a bar or club near where they live, when they are in fact at home in bed.
You might also check in whilst in a car.... driving past a location. hence the definition of drive by check-in
A. Hey Amy.... just seen that you checked into "Sonic bar and Club"??
B. No i'm actually at the home.... did a cheeky check in at Sonic on my way past!
A. HAHA a drive by check-in you sly dog!
B. No i'm actually at the home.... did a cheeky check in at Sonic on my way past!
A. HAHA a drive by check-in you sly dog!
by Jigga Lover November 22, 2010
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