scope out
Survey the situation
To scope out is to survey or investigate something before committing to action: Let's scope out the restaurant before making a reservation, They scoped out the building before the heist.
The phrase implies reconnaissance—gathering information to assess whether something is worth pursuing or how to approach it.
- reconnoiterMilitary preliminary survey
- inspectStudy closely for flaws
- examineStudy with attention
- reconPreliminary military observation
- surveySystematic data collection
scout · investigate · stakeout · case the joint · eyeball · observe · keep an eye on · evaluate · check out · case · suss out · snoop · analyze · search · look around · scrutinize · lookout · on the lookout
scope outplunge in
Start abruptly, without preparation
rush in · wing it · charge ahead · fly by the seat of one's pants · barge in
scope, telescope, microscope, kaleidoscope, scopes, periscope, horoscope, scoped, gyroscope