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.

When the Myerses scope out a house, they start by checking the fundamental structural and mechanical integrity of the house.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

They scope out other restaurants and what people are ordering.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Barron's

Investors come to scope out films and filmmakers look to raise money.

From Los Angeles Times

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