once-over

American  

[wuhns-oh-ver] / ˈwʌnsˌoʊ vər /

noun

Informal.

• once-overs
  plural

1. a quick look, examination, or appraisal.

2. a quick, superficial job.

   He gave the car just a once-over with a rag.

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once-over British  

noun

1. a quick examination or appraisal

2. a quick but comprehensive piece of work

3. a violent beating or thrashing (esp in the phrase give ( a person or thing ) the (or a ) once-over )

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• once-overs
  plural

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

See Examples For:

once-over

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

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

Reader: I’m trying to reenter the workforce after some time away, and have given my résumé a good once-over.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 17, 2022

After 10 minutes I give my work a good once-over.

From New York Times ● Sep. 24, 2022

Francis picked up a menu and gave it a quick once-over.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt