scope out
phrasal verb
scoped out; scoping out; scopes out
US, informal
: to look at (someone or something) especially in order to get information
They scoped out the area before setting up the tent.
Players were scoping out the competition.
He wants to scope out all of the possibilities before deciding what to do.
Examples of scope out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And whether your trip focuses on scoping out the restaurant scene, the year-round lineup of cultural events, or how to make the most of this iconic American landscape, there’s always a new way to find your very own perfect Miami experience.
—
Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
In fact, many are still scoping out young talent with standout AI skills.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Rafiq suspected that the anxiety suffusing the market had made any pickpockets unlikely to be scoping out potential shoppers.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
His players are not scoping out brackets and pathways.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scope out
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Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
In fact, many are still scoping out young talent with standout AI skills.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Rafiq suspected that the anxiety suffusing the market had made any pickpockets unlikely to be scoping out potential shoppers.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
His players are not scoping out brackets and pathways.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scope out
Cite this Entry
“Scope out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scope%20out. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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