once over lightly
Hasty, shallow examination
Once over lightly describes a quick, superficial treatment of something—a cursory examination or hasty job that skips the details: The inspector gave the building once over lightly and missed the code violations.
The phrase suggests doing just enough to say you've done it, without thoroughness or care.
Related to giving something the once-over, a quick inspection.
- skimPass over lightly
- skim throughReview superficially
- quick glanceShort, rapid look
- summaryCondensed account of essentials
- glanceBrief, casual look
unfinished · synopsis · scan · scratch the surface · outline · rough sketch · partial · précis · bullet points · recap · overview · gist · cliff notes · nonchalant · brush · breezy · lick and a promise · cursory
once over lightlyin-depth analysis
Thorough detailed examination
fine-tooth comb · deep dive · close inspection · forensic analysis · leave no stone unturned
once, over, lightly, overly, light, lights, lighter, lightest, lighted