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.

She came to Frieze to scope out the next addition to her home.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

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 • Dec. 10, 2025

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

From Barron's • Oct. 29, 2025

He said that agents usually scope out a campaign event’s venue days in advance to develop a security plan that is then shared with local police agencies.

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2024

Sean had wanted to scope out the showcase to get an idea for his own show this semester, and I’d tagged along.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

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