check off vs rule

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. 

rule

verb
  • To mark (paper or the like) with rules (lines). 

  • To establish or settle by, or as by, a rule; to fix by universal or general consent, or by common practice. 

  • To regulate, be in charge of, make decisions for, reign over. 

  • To decide judicially. 

  • To excel. 

noun
  • A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result. 

  • A regulating principle. 

  • A ruler; device for measuring, a straightedge, a measure. 

  • A normal condition or state of affairs. 

  • A regulation, law, guideline. 

  • An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit. 

  • A straight line (continuous mark, as made by a pen or the like), especially one lying across a paper as a guide for writing. 

  • The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control. 

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