How to Use once-over in a Sentence

once-over

noun
  • 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
  • But once a module is shipped to a site, local inspectors will often do their own once-over.
    — Calmatters, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Too bad because that April 9 official once-over went better than this one.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
  • 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
  • Abatemarco bought him a seat next to his to Raleigh, where Valvano gave the new kid a once-over, then turned to his assistant.
    — Kevin Sherrington feb. 10, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Few things cling to everything and can get everywhere like sand, so use it to give beach supplies and accessories the once-over before heading home.
    — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 10 May 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
  • Tony Propane meets me at the house and gives the property a once-over to determine where the propane tank — the size and shape of a manatee — could physically go.
    — Marni Jameson, Arkansas Online, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Giving spaces like the kitchen, living room, hallways, and entryway a quick once-over can make your home feel fresher and more put-together heading into Monday.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 22 May 2026
  • When Carrasco invited me into their backyard, which was lively with chickens and dogs, Ezra ran up, gave me a quick once-over, and then darted off to play on the swing set with his younger brother.
    — Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025
  • There may be fewer scenes in the Causeway oeuvre more chilling than a wordless opening when Kori (Emily Browning) gives a contemptuous once-over to the pile of greasy food in front of her at a pub while her boyfriend Nick (Jai Courtney) is fetching some pints.
    — Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'once-over.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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