cast an/(one's) eye over (something)

cast an/(one's) eye over (something)

To look at something quickly and perfunctorily. I always cast an eye over my desk to make sure I have everything before I leave the office at night. You don't have to read this document in detail—just cast your eye over it when you get a chance.See also: cast, eye, over

cast your eye

or

cast your eyes

or

cast an eye

COMMON If you cast your eye, cast your eyes or cast an eye around, over, etc. something, you quickly look at something. Adam cast his eye over his notes again. He cast an eye around the room, at the window that Colin had just smashed. She cast her eye down the list of names. Note: You can also say that you run your eye, run your eyes or run an eye around, over, etc. something. There were various bottles on the shelf above and I ran my eyes over them. Nothing of interest there. He ran a casual eye down the first page of the bank statement.See also: cast, eye

cast/run an ˈeye/your ˈeyes over something

look at or examine something quickly: ‘This looks great,’ he said, casting an eye around the room. ♢ Could you just run your eyes over this report for me?See also: cast, eye, over, run, something