once-over

once-over
noun slang
1. A quick look; a swift examination of someone or something. - Usually used with "give" or "get".

The new boy got the once-over from the rest of the class when he came in.

Bob gave his paper the once-over before handing it in.

A quick or careless job, especially of cleaning or straightening; work done hastily for now.

Ann gave her room a quick once-over-lightly with the broom and dust cloth.

"Just give my hair the once-over," Al said to the barber.

Compare: lick and a promise

Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Once Over — Background information Origin Brighton, United Kingdom Genres Ska, punk, metal …   Wikipedia

  • once-over — n. a swift cursory examination or inspection; as, I gave him the once over. Syn: look over. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • once-over — (n.) inspection, 1913, from ONCE (Cf. once) + OVER (Cf. over) …   Etymology dictionary

  • once-over — n give sth the/a once over a) to look at someone or something quickly to check what they are like b) to clean or tidy something quickly …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • once-over — once ,over noun give someone/something the once over INFORMAL 1. ) to look at someone or examine something very quickly, in order to see what they are like 2. ) to clean something very quickly …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • once-over — ☆ once over [wuns′ō΄vər ] n. Informal 1. a quick, comprehensive look or examination; swiftly appraising glance 2. a quick, cursory or light cleaning or going over …   English World dictionary

  • once-over — ► NOUN informal ▪ a rapid inspection, search, or piece of work …   English terms dictionary

  • once-over — {n.}, {slang} 1. A quick look; a swift examination of someone or something. Usually used with give or get . * /The new boy got the once over from the rest of the class when he came in./ * /Bob gave his paper the once over before handing it in./ 2 …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • once-over — {n.}, {slang} 1. A quick look; a swift examination of someone or something. Usually used with give or get . * /The new boy got the once over from the rest of the class when he came in./ * /Bob gave his paper the once over before handing it in./ 2 …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • once-over — UK / US noun give someone/something the once over informal to look at someone or examine something very quickly, in order to see what they are like; informal to clean something very quickly He gave the new guy the once over and decided he looked… …   English dictionary

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