checks and balances

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

ˌchecks and ˈbalances 7 [checks and balances] BrE NAmE noun plural
1. influences in an organization or political system which help to keep it fair and stop a small group from keeping all the power
2. (in the US) the principle of government by which the President, Congress and the Supreme Court each have some control over the others
compare ↑separation of powers