check off vs specify

check off

verb
  • 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 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 deduct union members' dues from their wages. 

specify

verb
  • To bring about a specific result. 

  • To state explicitly, or in detail, or as a condition. 

  • To include in a specification. 

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