once-over
noun
ˌwən(t)s-ˈō-vər 
ˈwən(t)s-ˌō-
: a swift examination or survey
especially
: a swift comprehensive appraising glance
gave me the once-over
Examples of once-over in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Here’s a tracker of just the retreads, after yesterday’s look at potential first-timers:
Flores joins several other once-overs in this hiring cycle, with only Raheem Morris and Mike McCarthy having had multiple head-coaching gigs.
—
Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Some Sweaters Most durable knits, such as cotton and wool sweaters, respond well to a quick once-over with a sweater shaver.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Jan. 2026
When Carrasco invited me into their backyard, which was lively with chickens and dogs, Ezra ran up, gave me a quick once-over, and then darted off to play on the swing set with his younger brother.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025
Too bad because that April 9 official once-over went better than this one.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
To avoid this most irritating scenario, give your high-traffic or mess-prone areas a quick once-over with the vacuum.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
After a quick once-over by liquid space computer Ooooo (Shirley Henderson), Elio is then taken to the Communiverse, a kind of brain trust represented by all the myriad gelatinous lifeforms of the galaxy.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 June 2025
Even in development-friendly San Diego, which has a self-certification option for solar installations and office remodels, letting a developer start construction on an entire new house without the city’s once-over is a bridge too far.
—Calmatters, Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
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Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Some Sweaters Most durable knits, such as cotton and wool sweaters, respond well to a quick once-over with a sweater shaver.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Jan. 2026
When Carrasco invited me into their backyard, which was lively with chickens and dogs, Ezra ran up, gave me a quick once-over, and then darted off to play on the swing set with his younger brother.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025
Too bad because that April 9 official once-over went better than this one.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
To avoid this most irritating scenario, give your high-traffic or mess-prone areas a quick once-over with the vacuum.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
After a quick once-over by liquid space computer Ooooo (Shirley Henderson), Elio is then taken to the Communiverse, a kind of brain trust represented by all the myriad gelatinous lifeforms of the galaxy.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 June 2025
Even in development-friendly San Diego, which has a self-certification option for solar installations and office remodels, letting a developer start construction on an entire new house without the city’s once-over is a bridge too far.
—Calmatters, Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Once-over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/once-over. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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