scout out
B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To go and look at a place or thing ahead of time so you know what to expect.
Literal meaning: To scout (reconnoitre) out (away from base) a place or target.
Meanings
1 B1 informal
To visit or survey a place in advance in order to assess its suitability or gather information.
"The director flew to Prague to scout out possible filming locations for the new movie."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To search for and identify promising talent, opportunities, or options.
"She spent the weekend scouting out new suppliers who could meet their tight deadlines."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Common in both everyday and professional contexts. Widely used in travel, business, film production (location scouting), and military/tactical contexts. Natural in spoken and written English.
Commonly used with
location venue area route competition talent
Forms
Base
scout out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scouts out
he/she/it
Past simple
scouted out
yesterday
Past participle
scouted out
have + pp
-ing form
scouting out
continuous
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Synonyms
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