Dictionary.com

once-over

[ wuhns-oh-ver ]
/ ˈwʌnsˌoʊ vər /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for once-over on Thesaurus.com
noun Informal.
a quick look, examination, or appraisal.
a quick, superficial job: He gave the car just a once-over with a rag.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of once-over

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Words nearby once-over

Once bitten, twice shy, once in a blue moon, once in a lifetime, once in a while, Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once-over, once-over-lightly, oncer, once upon a time, onchocerciasis, oncidium
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to once-over

appraisal, checkup, examination, inspection, survey

How to use once-over in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for once-over

once-over
noun informal
a quick examination or appraisal
a quick but comprehensive piece of work
a violent beating or thrashing (esp in the phrase give (a person or thing) the (or a) once-over)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK