noun Informal.
- a quick look, examination, or appraisal.
- a quick, superficial job: He gave the car just a once-over with a rag.
noun informal
- a quick examination or appraisal
- a quick but comprehensive piece of work
- a violent beating or thrashing (esp in the phrase give (a person or thing) the (or a) once-over)
n.“inspection,” 1913, from once + over.