1 C1 idiomatic slang
To observe a location carefully and secretly, especially to plan a crime or clandestine activity.
"The thieves spent a week casing out the museum before they attempted the robbery."
separable
case out
C1 slang separable transitive
To secretly observe or investigate a place before doing something there, often with criminal intent.
In plain English
To sneak around a place and look at it carefully before doing something, like a thief checking a bank before robbing it.
What does "case out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
(informal, humorous) To look around a place before deciding whether to use it or go there.
"Let's case out the new restaurant before we make a reservation for Mom's birthday."
separable
Usage tip
Primarily North American slang. Often implies criminal planning but is also used humorously. Less common than the related expression 'case the joint.'
Words that pair with "case out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
place building area neighborhood venue target
How to conjugate "case out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
case out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cases out
he/she/it
Past simple
cased out
yesterday
Past participle
cased out
have + pp
-ing form
casing out
continuous
Hear "case out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "case out"
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