spot check

US: (spot′chek′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈspot ˌcheck, n. [countable]

1. Statistics a quick check or investigation of items, often chosen at random:
   to run a spot check on the samples coming off the assembly line.

spot--check, v. [~ + object]

to spot-check a few items coming off the assembly line.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

spot′ check′, 

1. Statistics a random sampling or quick sample investigation:
   A spot check showed that at least ten percent of the items were defective.

• 1940–45

spot-check  (spot′chek′), v.t. 

1. to examine or investigate by means of a spot check.

v.i. 

2. to conduct a spot check.

• 1940–45

spot′-check′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

spot check noun

1. a quick random examination
2. a check made without prior warning

verb spot-check

1. (transitive) to perform a spot check on