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
Police scope out the scene of a crime and find a piece of evidence: a strand of hair, a blood sample, a bullet casing.
—
Christian Mysliwiec, Fox News, 20 Apr. 2024
Unfortunately, the patterns that are setting up now don't necessarily match that expectation, which may leave those who put in the research to scope out the best locations suddenly in the lurch.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2024
Helicopters scoped out the chaotic scene in Holmby Hills.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2024
After visiting to scope out the site, Mast’s staff proposed to replant the whole acreage, free, and even pay Mr. Harland a bit at the end.
—Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Social media has increasingly allowed companies to more easily scope out and target niche groups of consumers in an increasingly fragmented market, said Alexander Chernev, a professor of marketing at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
—Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024
Back in the kitchen, Savannah was feeling a little inferior when scoping out the Red Team’s technical dishes, like Kévin’s stunning olive canapes, which were brought to the judges first next to her cucumber-melon salad.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2024
Nearby, Lizzo and her boyfriend scoped out the dance floor and were later seen linking their arms while taking a shot together.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024
Whenever possible, scope out photos of the inventory in advance.
—Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024
Christian Mysliwiec, Fox News, 20 Apr. 2024
Unfortunately, the patterns that are setting up now don't necessarily match that expectation, which may leave those who put in the research to scope out the best locations suddenly in the lurch.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2024
Helicopters scoped out the chaotic scene in Holmby Hills.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2024
After visiting to scope out the site, Mast’s staff proposed to replant the whole acreage, free, and even pay Mr. Harland a bit at the end.
—Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Social media has increasingly allowed companies to more easily scope out and target niche groups of consumers in an increasingly fragmented market, said Alexander Chernev, a professor of marketing at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
—Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024
Back in the kitchen, Savannah was feeling a little inferior when scoping out the Red Team’s technical dishes, like Kévin’s stunning olive canapes, which were brought to the judges first next to her cucumber-melon salad.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2024
Nearby, Lizzo and her boyfriend scoped out the dance floor and were later seen linking their arms while taking a shot together.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024
Whenever possible, scope out photos of the inventory in advance.
—Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scope out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near scope out
Cite this Entry
“Scope out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scope%20out. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
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