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
Once a month, Fort Worth Star-Telegram service team reporter Ella Gonzales will scope out the best deals in Fort Worth for under $25.
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Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
Northern Indiana Labor Day weekend weather forecast Labor Day weekend travelers who want to scope out South Bend's Chocolate Factory or the Indiana Dinosaur Museum will do so under pleasant, sunny skies.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 28 Aug. 2025
Or enjoy Cali-style Mexican food at Pelon's Baja Grill—be sure to scope out the happy hour deals.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
Chicago’s mayor is scoping out legal avenues to prevent soldiers from overtaking the Windy City after federal threats.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scope out
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Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
Northern Indiana Labor Day weekend weather forecast Labor Day weekend travelers who want to scope out South Bend's Chocolate Factory or the Indiana Dinosaur Museum will do so under pleasant, sunny skies.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 28 Aug. 2025
Or enjoy Cali-style Mexican food at Pelon's Baja Grill—be sure to scope out the happy hour deals.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
Chicago’s mayor is scoping out legal avenues to prevent soldiers from overtaking the Windy City after federal threats.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
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 5 Sep. 2025.
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