Spy out the land

verb

To gather information about a place or situation to understand it better or find something specific.

Before starting the project, the manager decided to spy out the land to understand the existing problems.

Often appears as...

spy out the land before
decided to spy out the land

Usage tips

Idiomatic

verb

In biblical context, it refers to exploring or examining a region, especially in preparation for a military assault or for spies to explore the land before an invasion.

In the Old Testament of the Bible, Joshua sent two men to Jericho to spy out the land.

Visual representation of "spy out the land" - In biblical context, it refers to exploring or examining a region, especially in preparation for a military assault or for spies to explore the land before an invasion.

Often appears as...

sent to spy out the land
ordered to spy out the land

Usage tips

Literary

verb

To gather information about a place or situation to understand it better or find something specific.

Before starting the project, the manager decided to spy out the land to understand the existing problems.

Often appears as...

spy out the land before
decided to spy out the land

Usage tips

Idiomatic

verb

In biblical context, it refers to exploring or examining a region, especially in preparation for a military assault or for spies to explore the land before an invasion.

In the Old Testament of the Bible, Joshua sent two men to Jericho to spy out the land.

Often appears as...

sent to spy out the land
ordered to spy out the land

Usage tips

Literary

Definition 1 of 2

Visual representation of "spy out the land"

Pro Tip 1/3

Figurative Sense

The phrase is often used metaphorically to mean careful examination or preparation.

I need to spy out the land before starting my new job.

Pro Tip 2/3

Research Implication

Implies doing research or getting a feel for a situation before acting.

Let's spy out the land before we propose the new marketing strategy.

Pro Tip 3/3

Preparation Essential

Suggests thorough preparation is essential for success.

The team decided to spy out the land to better tailor their pitch to the investors.

Pro Tip 1/3

Figurative Sense

The phrase is often used metaphorically to mean careful examination or preparation.

I need to spy out the land before starting my new job.

Pro Tip 2/3

Research Implication

Implies doing research or getting a feel for a situation before acting.

Let's spy out the land before we propose the new marketing strategy.

Pro Tip 3/3

Preparation Essential

Suggests thorough preparation is essential for success.

The team decided to spy out the land to better tailor their pitch to the investors.

Pro Tip 1/3

Figurative Sense

The phrase is often used metaphorically to mean careful examination or preparation.

I need to spy out the land before starting my new job.

Pro Tip 2/3

Research Implication

Implies doing research or getting a feel for a situation before acting.

Let's spy out the land before we propose the new marketing strategy.

Pro Tip 3/3

Preparation Essential

Suggests thorough preparation is essential for success.

The team decided to spy out the land to better tailor their pitch to the investors.

Visual representation of the word "Spy out the land"

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