once-over-lightly I. \| ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\noun (-es) Etymology: from the phrase once over lightly : once-over; especially: an especially casual or cursory or gingerly once-over < had given political problems the once-over-lightly — Sigrid Arne > II. \| ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\adjective : swift and usually casual or cursory or gingerly < gets the once-over-lightly treatment — Sidney Hyman >