scope out

British

verb

to assess the potential of an opportunity or suggestion

a scoping-out study

"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

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.

It starts in March, when Home Depot insiders gather in Las Vegas in part to scope out the retailer’s supersize holiday decorations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Then parliament appoints an "informateur" to scope out the possible contours of a coalition agreement.

From Barron's • Oct. 29, 2025

When they go, the beauty product educators and entrepreneurs scope out new product trends and wellness ingredients that haven’t yet hit mass retailers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2025

In trying to protect their privacy, the Murdochs have had their security team scope out which entrance of the courthouse has the fewest reporters waiting outside.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2024

I move up in the line and scope out the photographer’s setup.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023