take a gander at

Idioms  

1. Look at, glance at, as in Will you take a gander at that woman's red hair! This slangy idiom, dating from the early 1900s, presumably came from the verb gander, meaning “stretch one's neck to see,” possibly alluding to the long neck of the male goose. For a synonym, see take a look at.

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Example Sentences

Go on and take a gander at the ingredients list.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2024

For confirmation, take a gander at “Come Get Maggie,” a jejune musical by Diane Frolov and Susan Justin that is receiving its world premiere courtesy of Rogue Machine at the Matrix Theatre.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2023

Thus, before you top your cake with whipped cream, take a gander at where the holes are located and maybe even make a few tiny little marks on the sides with a paring knife.

From Washington Post • May 11, 2022

I don’t really want to actively teach him right now, but I’d like some things to have around for him to take a gander at when he feels like it.

From Slate • Nov. 8, 2018

When the movement stills and the irate Spanish peters out, I gather my nerve and raise my head to take a gander at what I’m up against here.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson