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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

Then I passed up the can o' paint, an' took a stroll around to see that no one had been givin' us the 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

They rows up to the house, and the old feller sittin' on his balcony gives 'em a look-over and then he gives the word to let 'em in.

From Command by William McFee

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

The first time he put the camera behind a row of fans, I had to look over the edge of my 3D glasses to double-check that those waving arms weren’t really in my theater.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026

Jack threw one look over the outer wall, only to shake his head.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

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