1. check and balance - Noun
2. check and balance - Verb
check and balance (third-person singular simple present checks and balances, present participle checking and balancing, simple past and past participle checked and balanced)
(idiomatic) Provide mutual oversight and limitation by independent organizations in order to prevent abuses of power.
check and balance (plural checks and balances)
(idiomatic) The mutual oversight provided by a system of independent organizations with control over each other.
The media is absolutely essential to the functioning of a democracy. It's not our job to cozy up to power. We're supposed to be the check and balance on government. Amy Goodman
If the Republicans get control back of the United States Senate, we will no longer have a check and balance on the White House, on the Republican Congress. Patty Murray
The most effective check and balance on government has been an independent press which maintains its credibility by ensuring that its criticism is balanced and based on fact – based indeed on solid journalistic work. Malcolm Turnbull