once-over
Americannoun
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a quick look, examination, or appraisal.
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a quick, superficial job.
He gave the car just a once-over with a rag.
noun
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a quick examination or appraisal
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a quick but comprehensive piece of work
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a violent beating or thrashing (esp in the phrase give ( a person or thing ) the (or a ) once-over )
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of once-over
An Americanism dating back to 1910–15
Explanation
If you quickly survey today's cafeteria offerings, you give them a once-over. After this swift once-over, you'll probably order the pizza again, like you do every day. Once-over is an informal noun, a great way to describe any brief inspection, search, or examination. When you're signing a contract, it's smart to read it carefully rather than just giving it a once-over. But when you're choosing a piece of Halloween candy from the basket your neighbor is offering, it's fine to grab one after a once-over. This American English slang term was coined at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But once a module is shipped to a site, local inspectors will often do their own once-over.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 14, 2026
The morning of The Big Prep Day, I start by giving everything a proper once-over: counters cleared, knives sharp, music queued, coffee poured.
From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2025
Less costly inspections will still have someone under the car doing all the things that many sellers have already done – looking for leaks, inspecting axles and tires, and giving the car a good once-over.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 17, 2024
The dolphins have been trained to cooperate, presenting their various body parts — teeth, belly, flukes — while their trainers give them the once-over.
From New York Times ● Jan. 31, 2023
A dark-skinned guy with short dreadlocks gives Jus a once-over and smiles.
From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
