I think of it more as 'response' check - and used to teach as such.
One day one of my students was out solo and was practising a PFL. Final 'response check' at about 1500ft agl - nothing happened. All knobs and tits in appropriate positions and nothing untoward on the gauges, so he made a quick call and landed without incident in the field.
The problem was later found to be a carburettor fault, I was told. Which the engineers fixed a few days later, then I flew the aircraft out.
ALWAYS treat a PFL as a 'real' forced landing - and DO ensure that the engine WILL respond when you need it!
Another time I was conducting a PPL Skill Test in a PA28-180. The applicant had flown a good pattern; on the go-around there were a few long seconds of farting and grumbling fom the engine before it cleared its throat and produced the requested power......