check off vs highlight

check off

verb
  • To mark items on a list (with a checkmark or by crossing them out) that have been chosen for keeping or removal or that have been dealt with (for example, completed or verified as correct or satisfactory); to tick off (UK), tick (UK), cross off, strike off. 

  • To carry out a decision recorded through the process of checking off an item on a list, including dealing with it, removing it from the possible choices, or removing the not checked items from further consideration. 

  • To deduct union members' dues from their wages. 

highlight

verb
  • To mark (important passages of text), e.g. with a fluorescent marker pen or in a wordprocessor, as a means of memory retention or for later reference. 

  • To be a highlight of. 

  • To make prominent; emphasize. 

  • To seek the attention of (a user) on IRC by mentioning their name in a message, causing that message to appear highlighted on their screen. 

  • To dye (part of the hair) a different color than the rest. 

noun
  • An area or a spot in a drawing, painting, or photograph that is strongly illuminated. 

  • An especially significant or interesting detail or event or period of time. 

  • A strand or spot of hair dyed a different color than the rest. 

How often have the words check off and highlight occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )