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

In today’s market, almost every buyer hires an independent home inspector to give the house a once-over. — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026

There’s a dust brush to gather hair, pet fur, and dust from upholstery, a crevice tool to reach between couch cushions, and a wide, flat brush to give your sofa an even better once-over. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Loose hardware Give any bolts, brackets, and screws a quick once-over to make sure nothing has worked itself loose. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026

Giving it a once-over with a can of spray paint is another way to achieve the same result. — Govert Schilling, Scientific American, 27 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for once-over

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover

Kids Definition

once-over

noun

ˈwən(t)-ˌsō-vər

: a quick glance or examination

gave the menu the once-over