give the once over

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition

Verb phrase: - To look at someone or something quickly but carefully, often in a critical, appraising, or evaluative manner. It implies a swift yet thorough visual inspection, typically to assess appearance, quality, or condition.

Usage

This phrase is informal and is used to describe the act of examining something or someone with a glance. It often carries a connotation of judgment, curiosity, or attraction.

Examples
  • (She inspected the car quickly but carefully.)
  • (The manager looked over the report critically and found a mistake.)
  • (All the women looked at him with a critical, appraising eye.)
Advanced Usage
  • The phrase can be used with a direct object (the person or thing being inspected) placed between "give" and "the once over." The structure is typically: give [something/someone] the once over.
  • It is often used in contexts related to fashion, appearance, or initial quality checks.
Variants and Related Words
  • Once-over (noun): The act of giving a quick inspection.
    • He gave the document a quick once-over.
  • Look over (verb phrase): To examine something, often more thoroughly and less quickly than a "once over."
    • Can you look over this essay for me?
Synonyms
  • Size up: To assess or evaluate someone or something.
  • Check out: To look at something, often with interest.
  • Scan: To look over quickly.
Related Idioms
  • Give someone the eye: To look at someone in a way that shows sexual interest or suspicion. (This is closer in meaning when the "once over" is given to a person, often with a romantic or critical subtext.)
  • Run one's eye over: To look at or read something quickly.
Verb
  1. look at with a critical eye
    • When the movie star entered, all the women gave him the once over

Từ đồng nghĩa