Actually though, which games literally put the choice in the hands of the player? DW doesn't, nor 4e, nor 5e. I mean, BW maybe does, but now we're off in another direction at that point. In most systems, certainly in 5e, the GM is in charge of translating the fiction to the mechanics. I would read all of these games as intending an obligation of the GM to do so in 'good faith' but in the 5e case specifically I agree that only the GM can 'call for a check', because only the GM knows the hidden backstory which could bear on if success is possible etc. and without those conditions checks are not required (but you could still use them for the purpose of obfuscation).