once-over

once-over
*the once-over
a quick, visual examination. (*Typically: get \once-over; give someone \once-over.) •

Every time John walks by I get the once-over. Does he like me?

I went to the doctor yesterday, but I only had a once-over.

* * *
{n.}, {slang} 1. A quick look; a swift examination of someone or something. - Usually used with "give" or "get". * /The new boy got the once-over from the rest of the class when he came in./ * /Bob gave his paper the once-over before handing it in./ 2. or [once-over-lightly] A quick or careless job, especially of cleaning or straightening; work done hastily for now. * /Ann gave her room a quick once-over-lightty with the broom and dust cloth./ * /"Just give my hair the once-over," Al said to the barber./ Compare: LICK AND A PROMISE.

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Once Over — Background information Origin Brighton, United Kingdom Genres Ska, punk, metal …   Wikipedia

  • once-over — n. a swift cursory examination or inspection; as, I gave him the once over. Syn: look over. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • once-over — (n.) inspection, 1913, from ONCE (Cf. once) + OVER (Cf. over) …   Etymology dictionary

  • once-over — n give sth the/a once over a) to look at someone or something quickly to check what they are like b) to clean or tidy something quickly …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • once-over — once ,over noun give someone/something the once over INFORMAL 1. ) to look at someone or examine something very quickly, in order to see what they are like 2. ) to clean something very quickly …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • once-over — ☆ once over [wuns′ō΄vər ] n. Informal 1. a quick, comprehensive look or examination; swiftly appraising glance 2. a quick, cursory or light cleaning or going over …   English World dictionary

  • once-over — ► NOUN informal ▪ a rapid inspection, search, or piece of work …   English terms dictionary

  • once-over — {n.}, {slang} 1. A quick look; a swift examination of someone or something. Usually used with give or get . * /The new boy got the once over from the rest of the class when he came in./ * /Bob gave his paper the once over before handing it in./ 2 …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • once-over — noun slang 1. A quick look; a swift examination of someone or something. Usually used with give or get . The new boy got the once over from the rest of the class when he came in. Bob gave his paper the once over before handing it in. 2. or once… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • once-over — UK / US noun give someone/something the once over informal to look at someone or examine something very quickly, in order to see what they are like; informal to clean something very quickly He gave the new guy the once over and decided he looked… …   English dictionary

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