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
For me, shopping at Trader Joe’s is always a mix of grabbing items that are on my shopping list as well as scoping out new products that are always popping up throughout the store.
—
Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
Instead of waiting for a squad car to arrive, officers will now be able to dispatch a drone to scope out the scene, hovering over citizens in need like a high-tech vulture.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 4 Feb. 2026
Visit Cataloochee Valley during dawn or dusk for a chance to catch elk roaming the area, and drive through Cades Cove to scope out black bears, waterfalls, and historic cabins.
—Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
Nolan announced his return after scoping out the transfer landscape, as did Texas State running backs Greg Burrell and Jaylen Jenkins.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scope out
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Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
Instead of waiting for a squad car to arrive, officers will now be able to dispatch a drone to scope out the scene, hovering over citizens in need like a high-tech vulture.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 4 Feb. 2026
Visit Cataloochee Valley during dawn or dusk for a chance to catch elk roaming the area, and drive through Cades Cove to scope out black bears, waterfalls, and historic cabins.
—Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
Nolan announced his return after scoping out the transfer landscape, as did Texas State running backs Greg Burrell and Jaylen Jenkins.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 27 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 19 Feb. 2026.
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