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
Perhaps in an effort to protect his identity (or scope out the competition), the Wonka actor stopped by the chaotic event where dozens were making an effort to mimic his streetwear aesthetic or otherwise don the look of his various movie roles.
—
Shania Russell, EW.com, 27 Oct. 2024
Vibe check: The homey space has tables, booths and bar seating, where diners have a chance to scope out the pincho, or small bites.
—Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024
Sally Rooney loves love, romantic and otherwise, and she is endlessly drawn to stories that scope out different ways of redeeming it.
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2024
Prime Day is also a great time to scope out holiday gifts for him and her, like men’s watches, affordable handbags, or multi-packs of cozy socks and underwear.
—Olivia Cigliano, WWD, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scope out 
Shania Russell, EW.com, 27 Oct. 2024
Vibe check: The homey space has tables, booths and bar seating, where diners have a chance to scope out the pincho, or small bites.
—Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024
Sally Rooney loves love, romantic and otherwise, and she is endlessly drawn to stories that scope out different ways of redeeming it.
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2024
Prime Day is also a great time to scope out holiday gifts for him and her, like men’s watches, affordable handbags, or multi-packs of cozy socks and underwear.
—Olivia Cigliano, WWD, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scope out
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Scope out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scope%20out. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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