once-over

/'wʌns,ouvə/

Friendly

Word: Once-over

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A "once-over" is a quick and casual look at something or someone. It means you examine or check something briefly, often to get a general idea rather than detailed information.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "once-over" when talking about checking something quickly, like a dress, a car, or even a person's appearance.
• It is informal, so it’s best used in casual conversations rather than formal writing.

Example Sentences:

1. "Before going out, I gave my outfit a once-over to make sure everything looked good."
2. "The mechanic took a once-over of the car to see if it needed any repairs."

Advanced Usage:

In a more advanced context, "once-over" can suggest a superficial judgment or opinion. For example, "After giving the report a once-over, I realized it needed more detailed analysis."

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "once-over," but related phrases include "quick look" or "brief inspection."

Different Meaning:

While "once-over" primarily refers to a quick examination, it can also imply a superficial assessment. For example, if someone says, "I just gave it a once-over," they might mean they didn't look very closely.

Synonyms:

• Quick look
• Brief inspection
• Cursory glance
• Surface check

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that incorporate "once-over," but you might hear similar expressions like: - "Take a look" (to examine something). - "Give it a glance" (to look at something quickly).

Conclusion:

Using "once-over" in your conversations can help describe quick checks or inspections in everyday situations.

Academic

Noun

1. a swift cursory examination or inspection
   • I gave him the once-over

Synonyms

• look-over