Top 34 Slang For Examine – Meaning & Usage

When it comes to studying and exams, sometimes the same old words just won’t cut it. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the coolest and most hip slang words for “examine” that will have you feeling like a true scholar. From “cram sesh” to “brain bender,” we’ve got all the lingo you need to ace your next test and impress your friends with your knowledge of the latest study slang. So, put on your thinking cap and get ready to dive into this listicle that will have you saying “I totally aced that exam!”

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1. Scope out

This phrase means to visually examine or survey something or someone. It is often used to gather information or assess a situation.

For example, “I’m going to scope out the new restaurant before deciding to eat there.”
In a crime movie, a character might say, “Scope out the area and let me know if you see anything suspicious.”
A friend might ask, “Can you scope out that new guy at the party and see if he’s single?”

2. Check out

This slang phrase means to examine or look at something or someone. It can be used to express interest or curiosity.

For instance, “I’m going to check out that new store downtown.”
A person might say, “Check out that cool car!”
When browsing online, someone might comment, “I’ll definitely check out that article.”

3. Dig into

This phrase means to deeply examine or explore a subject or topic. It is often used when conducting research or trying to uncover information.

For example, “I need to dig into this report to find the answer.”
A journalist might say, “I’m going to dig into this story and uncover the truth.”
A student might ask, “Can you help me dig into this concept? I’m having trouble understanding it.”

4. Size up

This slang phrase means to carefully evaluate or analyze something or someone. It is often used to form an opinion or make a judgment.

For instance, “I need to size up the competition before the game.”
A person might say, “I’m sizing up the situation before making a decision.”
In a job interview, an employer might try to size up the candidate’s skills and qualifications.

5. Give the once-over

This phrase means to quickly examine or inspect something or someone. It is often used to get a general impression or to check for any obvious issues.

For example, “I gave the car a once-over before buying it.”
A teacher might give a student’s paper the once-over to check for any major mistakes.
A friend might say, “Give me the once-over before I go on my date. Do I look okay?”

6. Take a look-see

This phrase is a casual way of saying to examine or inspect something. It implies a brief or cursory examination.

For example, “Can you take a look-see at this document and let me know if there are any errors?”
A friend might ask, “Can you take a look-see at my outfit and tell me if it looks okay?”
Someone might say, “I’ll take a look-see at the car before deciding if I want to buy it.”

7. Poke around

To poke around means to explore or investigate something in a casual or curious manner. It suggests a less formal or thorough examination.

For instance, “I decided to poke around the attic to see if I could find any hidden treasures.”
A detective might say, “I need to poke around the crime scene to gather more evidence.”
Someone might mention, “I like to poke around in thrift stores to find unique items.”

8. Go over with a fine-tooth comb

This phrase means to examine something very carefully and thoroughly, leaving no detail unnoticed. It implies a meticulous and comprehensive examination.

For example, “Before submitting the report, I need to go over it with a fine-tooth comb to catch any errors.”
A teacher might say, “Make sure to go over your essay with a fine-tooth comb to eliminate any grammatical mistakes.”
Someone might mention, “I always go over my finances with a fine-tooth comb to track my expenses.”

9. Analyze

To analyze means to study or examine something in detail, often using a systematic or scientific approach.

For instance, “The scientist will analyze the data collected during the experiment to draw conclusions.”
A sports commentator might say, “Let’s analyze the team’s performance in the last match.”
A business consultant might mention, “We need to analyze the market trends before making any strategic decisions.”

10. Scrutinize

To scrutinize means to inspect or examine something very closely and critically, often with a skeptical or critical mindset.

For example, “The lawyer will scrutinize the evidence presented in court to build a strong case.”
A teacher might say, “I will scrutinize each student’s work to ensure academic integrity.”
A reviewer might mention, “I will scrutinize the details of the product before writing my review.”

11. Delve into

This phrase means to thoroughly investigate or explore a particular topic or subject. It implies going beyond the surface and delving deep into the details.

For example, a journalist might say, “I will delve into the corruption scandal and uncover the truth.”
In a discussion about a complex issue, someone might suggest, “Let’s delve into the different factors contributing to this problem.”
A student preparing for an exam might say, “I need to delve into the textbook and understand the concepts.”

12. Investigate

This word refers to the act of examining or researching something in order to gather information or uncover facts. It often implies a systematic or official inquiry.

For instance, a detective might say, “I will investigate the crime scene and gather evidence.”
In a scientific study, researchers might investigate the effects of a new drug on patients.
A journalist might investigate a company’s financial practices to uncover potential fraud.

13. Probe

To probe means to investigate or explore something in a thorough and careful manner. It often implies a systematic or methodical approach to gathering information.

For example, a journalist might say, “I will probe into the politician’s background and uncover any potential scandals.”
In a scientific experiment, researchers might probe the effects of different variables on the outcome.
A lawyer might probe a witness during cross-examination to uncover inconsistencies in their testimony.

14. Assess

This word means to carefully consider, evaluate, or analyze something. It often involves making a judgment or forming an opinion based on the assessment.

For instance, a teacher might assess students’ performance through exams and assignments.
In a business context, a manager might assess the market potential of a new product before launching it.
A doctor might assess a patient’s symptoms to diagnose a medical condition.

15. Evaluate

To evaluate means to assess, judge, or determine the value, significance, or quality of something. It often involves analyzing and considering various factors or criteria.

For example, a sports coach might evaluate players’ performance during tryouts to select the best team.
In a performance review, a supervisor might evaluate an employee’s performance based on specific criteria.
A critic might evaluate a movie based on its plot, acting, and cinematography.

16. Appraise

To appraise means to evaluate or assess the value, quality, or importance of something. It is often used in the context of determining the monetary worth of an item or property.

For example, a real estate agent might say, “We need to appraise the house before putting it on the market.”
In a discussion about antiques, someone might ask, “Can you appraise this old painting for me?”
A person evaluating a job candidate might say, “I need to appraise their qualifications before making a decision.”

17. Review

To review means to assess, examine, or evaluate something in detail. It is commonly used to analyze and provide feedback or criticism on a product, service, performance, or other subject.

For instance, a customer might write a review for a restaurant, saying, “The food was delicious, but the service was slow.”
In the context of academic work, a student might say, “I need to review my notes before the exam.”
A movie critic might publish a review of a new film, stating, “The acting was superb, but the plot was lacking.”

18. Study

To study means to examine or analyze something in order to gain knowledge or understanding. It often involves focused attention, research, and practice.

For example, a student might say, “I need to study for my math test.”
In the context of scientific research, a researcher might study the effects of a new drug on a specific population.
A person interested in a particular subject might say, “I love to study ancient history in my free time.”

19. Survey

To survey means to conduct a systematic examination or investigation of a particular area, group, or phenomenon. It often involves collecting data through questionnaires, interviews, or observations.

For instance, a market researcher might survey consumers to gather information about their preferences and habits.
In the context of urban planning, a city might survey its residents to assess their satisfaction with public services.
A scientist studying wildlife might survey a specific area to determine the population density of a particular species.

20. Inspect

To inspect means to examine closely or critically in order to assess quality, condition, or compliance with standards. It often involves a thorough examination of details or components.

For example, a building inspector might inspect a construction site to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
In the context of food safety, a health inspector might inspect a restaurant to check for cleanliness and proper handling of ingredients.
A mechanic might inspect a car’s engine to identify any potential issues or defects.

21. Break down

This term refers to the act of analyzing or dissecting something in order to understand it better or find the underlying components or elements.

For example, a teacher might say, “Let’s break down this complex math problem step by step.”
In a sports context, a coach might instruct the team, “We need to break down the opponent’s defense and find their weaknesses.”
A person discussing a difficult situation might say, “I need to break down all the factors contributing to this problem before finding a solution.”

22. Study up on

This phrase means to research or learn about a particular topic or subject in order to gain knowledge or understanding.

For instance, a student might say, “I need to study up on the history of World War II for the exam.”
A person interested in a new hobby might say, “I’m going to study up on gardening before starting my own vegetable patch.”
Someone preparing for a job interview might say, “I’m going to study up on the company’s background and values.”

23. Test out

This term refers to the act of trying or experimenting with something in order to see how it works or determine its effectiveness.

For example, a person shopping for a new car might say, “I’m going to test out a few different models before making a decision.”
In a cooking context, someone might say, “I’m going to test out a new recipe for dinner tonight.”
A software developer might say, “I need to test out this new feature before releasing it to the public.”

24. Monitor

This word means to keep an eye on or observe something closely in order to track progress, detect changes, or ensure proper functioning.

For instance, a teacher might say, “I need to monitor the students during the exam to prevent cheating.”
In a medical context, a doctor might say, “We need to monitor the patient’s vital signs closely.”
A manager might say, “I’m going to monitor the team’s performance and provide feedback for improvement.”

25. Explore

This term means to investigate or delve into a particular subject or area in order to gain knowledge or understanding.

For example, a person interested in history might say, “I want to explore the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia.”
A traveler might say, “I’m going to explore the local cuisine and try new dishes.”
A scientist might say, “We need to explore different hypotheses to find the answer to this research question.”

26. Take a look at

This phrase means to examine or observe something briefly or casually. It is often used when someone wants to see or assess something quickly.

For example, “Can you take a look at this document and let me know if there are any errors?”
In a store, a customer might ask, “Can I take a look at that shirt in a different color?”
A teacher might say, “Take a look at this painting and tell me what you notice.”

27. Give a once-over

This slang phrase means to look at or inspect something quickly, usually with a brief glance or cursory examination.

For instance, “I just gave the car a once-over to make sure everything is in order.”
A person might give a once-over to a potential purchase before deciding whether to buy it.
In a meeting, someone might say, “Let’s give the proposal a once-over before presenting it to the client.”

28. Eye up

To “eye up” means to look at someone or something with interest or desire, often in a suggestive or appreciative manner.

For example, “He couldn’t help but eye up the attractive person across the room.”
In a clothing store, a customer might say, “I’m just eyeing up that new jacket.”
A person might say, “I saw you eyeing up that piece of cake. Do you want some?”

29. Examine closely

This phrase means to closely and carefully inspect or scrutinize something in detail.

For instance, “The detective examined the crime scene closely for any evidence.”
In a laboratory, a scientist might say, “We need to examine this sample closely under the microscope.”
A teacher might ask students to examine a passage closely to analyze its meaning.

30. Look into

To “look into” means to investigate or examine something further in order to gather more information or understand it better.

For example, “I’ll look into that issue and get back to you with more details.”
A journalist might say, “I’m going to look into the allegations made against that politician.”
A person might decide to look into a new hobby by researching it online.

31. Gauge

To gauge means to measure or assess something, often to determine its size, quantity, or level of something. It can also refer to estimating or evaluating something.

For example, a teacher might say, “Let’s gauge the students’ understanding of the material by giving them a quiz.”
In a discussion about the economy, someone might ask, “How do we gauge the impact of this new policy?”
A sports coach might say, “We need to gauge the team’s performance during practice to see where we can improve.”

32. Audit

An audit is an official inspection or examination of something, typically financial records or business processes. It involves a systematic review to ensure accuracy, compliance, or efficiency.

For instance, a company might say, “We need to conduct an audit of our financial statements.”
A tax professional might advise, “Make sure to keep all your receipts in case you get audited by the IRS.”
In a discussion about cybersecurity, someone might suggest, “We should perform regular audits of our network security to identify vulnerabilities.”

33. Take a gander

To take a gander means to take a casual or quick look at something. It is an informal way of saying “take a look” or “have a glance.”

For example, a friend might say, “Take a gander at this funny meme I found.”
Someone might ask, “Can I take a gander at your notes? I missed that part of the lecture.”
In a conversation about a new product, a person might say, “I took a gander at the reviews online before making a purchase.”

34. Scan

To scan means to quickly look over or examine something. It involves a rapid visual search to gather information or identify specific details.

For instance, a teacher might say, “Scan the textbook for the answers to the questions.”
In a discussion about airport security, someone might say, “They use body scanners to scan passengers for hidden objects.”
A doctor might ask, “Can you scan this document and email it to me?”