gut check

noun

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

Examples of gut check in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In fact, the index briefly even cracked its low from the entire fourth quarter, a rare gut check. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2025 Fight or flight gut check The study focused on a subset of the peripheral nervous system called the sympathetic nervous system, which becomes active when the brain detects danger. Jon Hamilton, NPR, 12 Dec. 2024 Bottom line: Don’t be surprised if some excuse for a stiff gut check comes around before terribly long. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2024 But over the course of the social media age, a new gut check has emerged to test a president’s ability to capture the internet’s attention: Does this person make a good meme? Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 23 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for gut check

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gut check was in 1963

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gut check.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gut%20check. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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