Check top recent list (8)

I believe the answer is:

tabulate

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'list' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'check top recent' is the wordplay.
'check top' becomes 'tabu' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'recent' becomes 'late' (similar in meaning).
'tabu'+'late'='TABULATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tabulate that I've seen before include "Arrange in table or list" , "Arrange (data) in lines and columns" , "Arrange in order" , "Catalogue" , "Put into rows, columns" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app