check all the boxes
Meet all criteria
Check all the boxes means to fulfill every requirement or criterion for something.
The expression comes from forms and checklists where you literally mark boxes to indicate completion.
Someone who checks all the boxes meets every standard or expectation: On paper, this candidate checks all the boxes.
The phrase often carries a slightly clinical tone, suggesting that while all formal requirements are satisfied, something intangible—like passion or chemistry—might still be missing.
- completionAct of finishing
- criteriaStandards for judgment
- accomplishmentSuccessful completion of aim
- thoroughnessAttention to every detail
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
eligibility · qualifications · workflow · checklist · benchmarks · comprehensiveness · dot the i's · metrics · success · requirements · verification · perfunctory · rubber stamp · bare minimum · good enough · fulfillment · attainment · conformity
check all the boxesfall short
Fail to reach standard
miss the mark · come up short · unqualified · incomplete · drop the ball
check all the boxesbreak the mold
Diverge from tradition
think outside the box · color outside the lines · innovate · go above and beyond · exceed expectations
check all the boxesfail
Be unsuccessful
flunk · bomb · come up empty · strike out · wash out
check, checks, checked, checking, checker, checkers, checkable, recheck, rechecked