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-Boxmug. by Exponaut620 June 16, 2014
Get the Check Flushmug. by Shmarkie September 29, 2008
Get the whoop-checkedmug. The act of hooking a lover's upper teeth with your tongue so as to ascertain whether they might have dentures at a ridiculously young age. Most commonly a prelude to oral sex.
"Sharon was so shy she wasn't going to tell me she had dentures before sucking me - lucky I did a denture check."
by spongeymushroom February 21, 2013
Get the denture checkmug. The act of intentionally "accidently" displaying your tattoo when in the compay of another tattooed person.
When the hot tattooed girl walks into the room, you conviently scratch your bicep or stretch to tat check with your shitty tribal arm band or nautical stars.
by Mrs. Feinstein June 18, 2011
Get the tat checkmug. by Cecil Dylan July 12, 2011
Get the Porch Checkmug. by Marcus Antonio BarW March 9, 2017
Get the checked upmug.