separate checks

Meaning

This phrase is used in restaurants to ask the server to divide the total bill so that each person or group pays only for what they ordered. It is a very common request in North America and many other English-speaking regions when dining with friends or colleagues. The tone is polite and completely standard in casual to mid-range dining.

Examples

• Could we do separate checks, please?

  Could we do separate checks, please?

• It's usually easier to ask for separate checks before you order.

  It's usually easier to ask for separate checks before you order.

• We are on separate checks, so please put the drinks on mine.

  We are on separate checks, so please put the drinks on mine.

• The waiter asked if we wanted one bill or separate checks.

  The waiter asked if we wanted one bill or separate checks.

• Since it's a business lunch, we should probably ask for separate checks.

  Since it's a business lunch, we should probably ask for separate checks.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Can we have separate bills?

  ✓ Can we get separate checks?

  While 'bill' is understood globally, 'checks' (or 'separate checks') is the standard, idiomatic term used in US and Canadian restaurants when asking to split the payment.

• ✗ We want to separate the check.

  ✓ We would like separate checks, please.

  'Separate checks' is a set plural noun phrase used when making this request. Saying 'separate the check' sounds like a literal action rather than the standard polite request.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Before ordering, we told the server we would like ___.

  💡 Individual bills for each person at the table.

  Show answer

  separate checks

• Is it okay if we do ___ or is it too much trouble?

  💡 Paying for our own meals individually.

  Show answer

  separate checks