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• look-over
  look-over

  noun

  a brief or superficial examination or reading.
• look over
  look over

  verb

  (intr, preposition) to inspect by making a tour of (a factory, house, etc)

look-over

American  

[look-oh-ver] / ˈlɒɒkˌoʊ vər /

noun

1. a brief or superficial examination or reading.

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look over British  

verb

1. (intr, preposition) to inspect by making a tour of (a factory, house, etc)

   we looked over the country house

2. (tr, adverb) to examine (a document, letter, etc)

   please look the papers over quickly

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noun

1. an inspection: often, specifically, a brief or cursory one

look over Idioms  

1. Also, look up and down. Examine or inspect something or someone. For example, Jerry was looking over the books when he found an error, or They looked the new boy up and down. The first expression dates from the mid-1400s, the variant from the late 1800s.

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Etymology

Origin of look-over

First recorded in 1905–10; noun use of verb phrase look over

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

look-over look over

“We have probably 160 lawyers” giving the film a look-over, said Sheila Nevins, HBO’s documentary film president, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 28, 2014

The town houses of Georgetown and Cleveland Park are getting a look-over, says Robinson, although many frugal Democrats may end up settling in the less pricey suburbs of Maryland and Virginia.

From Time Magazine Archive

As soon as I finished takin' care o' Starlight, I give Monody's mount a look-over.

From Happy Hawkins by Robert Alexander Wason

Mr. Pepper was givin' me the search warrant look-over, and I see he's one of these gents that you can't jar easy.

From Torchy by George Brehm

Clara J. had invited Uncle Peter to take dinner with us and he began to give me the nervous look-over as soon as I answered roll call.

From Back to the Woods by Hugh McHugh

Not that I’m complaining about our year-round release carousel — I mean, look over your shoulder at this summertime’s TV bounty.

From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026

“I happened to look over my shoulder and I saw these planes coming down. The corporal in charge said, ‘Turn around, Private Garland,’” because they were about to hoist the flag.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

“Who?” he said, “The Angels won the World Series. We are the No. 1 baseball team in the world. There is no reason for us to look over our shoulders.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026

Speaking to reporters on the same day in Palm Beach, Florida, he said he had yet to look over the plan in detail.

From BBC ● May 3, 2026

I look over his shoulder, attempting to see what street we’re on.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Related Words

• audit
• check
• check out
• consider
• criticize
• delve into
• explore
• inspect
• investigate
• ponder
• pore over
• probe
• read
• research
• review
• scan
• screen
• scrutinize
• study
• survey