case the joint
Survey robbery site
To case the joint is to scout a location before committing a crime there—observing entrances, exits, security measures, and routines.
The phrase comes from criminal slang but has broadened to humorous use for any preliminary inspection: Let me case the joint before the party to find the best parking.
Joint here means an establishment or building.
stakeout
Prolonged covert observation
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- scopingDefining limits or extent
- scoutingObserving to gather information
lookout · recon · intel · planning · target · getaway · entry point · security · alarm · vault