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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

The preliminary look-over by lantern light had been all sufficient.

From A Daughter of the Sioux A Tale of the Indian frontier by Edwin Willard Deming

The bar-keeper gave the stranger a look-over and said to him:— "I guess we're too high for you."

From Captains of Industry or, Men of Business Who Did Something Besides Making Money by James Parton

One rode a penny-farthing big-wheel bike, another sat backward, turning to look over his shoulder every few seconds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

You could think you’re in great shape, but then you look over your account balances and realize you’re withdrawing from your investments at a much faster pace than you thought.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026

"But if you look over the course of the season, Mercedes has always been up there, so I do not doubt that they'll all be in the fight as well."

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

“If you look over the last million years, I guess that’s been largely true. Unfortunately, or fortunately.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026

I look over at Mr. S, and this time, my grin is as big as his.

From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist

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