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Glite Dictionary
to take a gander

to take a gander

10 8.2
To look quickly and casually at something you are curious about
  • idiom
  • Informal
: echar un vistazo
  • If you're considering a kitchen re-do, you might want to take a gander at some of these great ideas directly from a custom cabinet showroom in San Antonio.
  • let's take a gander
  • go take a gander
  • just take a gander

Examples

Synonyms

to see
vsto take a gander
∞ 1.0

To notice something with your eyes

is more active and purposely casual rather than mere noticing
to look at
vsto take a gander
∞ 1.0

Study something carefully to understand it or decide

is more casual and fleeting rather than careful examination
to take a look
vsto take a gander
∞ 1.3

To look at something to check it or find information

leans more to a short casual glance than a careful check
to have a look
vsto take a gander
412 1.3

To check something carefully, for example an essay or a machine

is less formal and more about casual curiosity than thoroughness
to view
vsto take a gander
357 1.0

To look at something carefully

is less focused and more about a quick curious glance
to glance
vsto take a gander
299 1.5

To look quickly at someone or something

is more casual and often involves friendly curiosity
to eye
vsto take a gander
152 4.8

To look closely at someone with interest

is more casual and often playful rather than intensely focused
to glance at
vsto take a gander
150 2.0

Look quickly at someone or something

is similar but usually more relaxed and curious in tone
to peek
vsto take a gander
119 1.1

To look quickly and secretly at something

is open casual curiosity rather than secret or cautious action
to get a look
vsto take a gander
88 2.8

To see someone or something for a short time

implies a casual, intentional glance rather than accidental sighting
to get a load of
vsto take a gander
  • Informal
24 8.4

Tell someone to look at something surprising or interesting

is more about personal casual curiosity than showing others
to eyeball
vsto take a gander
  • Informal
23 3.6

To look at someone or something closely and directly

is usually gentler curiosity rather than thorough close inspection
to glance over
vsto take a gander
18 3.2

Look at something quickly without reading it carefully

is just casual curiosity rather than a quick superficial check
to rake
vsto take a gander
16 6.3

To look quickly through something to find an item or fact

is similar in speed but more friendly curiosity than pure skimming
to take a squizz
vsto take a gander
  • Australian
9.9

To have a quick look at something because you are curious

is more casual and less planned or intentional
to throw an eye
vsto take a gander
  • UK
7.8

To look quickly at something

is similarly casual but often more curious than neutral

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to disregard
119 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

How Closely

to examine
868 2.5
to inspect
202 2.5
to take a gander
  • Informal
10 8.2
to glance
299 1.5

Surface Forms

take a gander infinitive

Morphology

take + a + gander

The expression follows the common compositional pattern 'take a + noun' (e.g. 'take a look'), and with 'gander' defined as 'a short, casual look' the overall meaning ('to glance or look') is directly derivable from its parts. Although 'gander' is informal and historically refers to a male goose, a B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings would readily infer the MWE, so it is transparent.

Etymology

Take a gander comes from the old word gander, which means a male goose. One popular story says geese stretch their necks to look around, so to take a gander became a way to say 'take a look', and that's why it means 'to look' today.