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.
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 The former president, known for bouncing ideas off everyone in his orbit, was calling up allies until the morning of his announcement as a gut check. David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 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

Dictionary Entries Near gut check

Cite this Entry

“Gut check.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gut%20check. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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