once-over
[wuhns-oh-ver]
noun Informal.
a quick look, examination, or appraisal.
a quick, superficial job: He gave the car just a once-over with a rag.
Origin of once-over
An Americanism dating back to 1910–15
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for once-over
Contemporary Examples of once-over
The two men give each other a once-over, in a way that suggests, why not?
Historical Examples of once-over
Were going to give this valley the once-over with a fine-toothed comb.
Slim Evans and his Horse LightningGraham M. Dean
Every motor, machine and conveyor in the place was being given the once-over.
The Shadow PassesRoy J. Snell
"And gave you the once-over in the big room," Chan declared.
Seed of the Arctic IceH. G. Winter
But he came to immediate, and we all stood at attention while he give that bundle the once-over.
Believe You Me!Nina Wilcox Putnam
How about it, Jeff—want to go along and give the big town the once-over or not?
J. Poindexter, ColoredIrvin Shrewsbury Cobb
once-over
noun informal
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
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper