gut check

noun

: a test or assessment of courage, character, or determination

Examples of gut check in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is another gut check of how far anti-incumbent sentiment is spreading in safely Democratic seats; Smith went on Breaking Points last month to defend himself and accuse Israel critics of being abusive. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026

That gut check works for most decisions. — Vinay Kuruvila, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

But a week full of gut checks resulted in the biggest win in club history thus far. — Idaho Statesman, 21 June 2026

Experienced in these kinds of gut checks, perhaps the Thunder will absorb the next round, too. — Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gut check

• aztec
• breakneck
• codec
• exec
• mixtec
• paycheck
• pinchbeck
• recheck
• redneck
• toltec
• beck
• breck