目(め)を通(とお)す

めをとおす
expression
to look through, to skim, to glance over
expression
1. to look through, to skim, to glance over
To read or review something quickly to get the general content without reading every detail.
報告書(ほうこくしょ)に目(め)を通(とお)しておいてください。
Please look over the report.
契約書(けいやくしょ)には必(かなら)ず目(め)を通(とお)すべきだ。
You should always look through contracts.
朝(あさ)、新聞(しんぶん)に目(め)を通(とお)す。
I skim the newspaper in the morning.
資料(しりょう)にざっと目(め)を通(とお)した。
I quickly glanced through the materials.

Structure: 目(め) (eye) + を + 通(とお)す (to pass through). Literally 'to pass one's eyes through' something.

Nuance: Implies quick review rather than careful, thorough reading. Often used for:

  • Documents, reports, contracts
  • Newspapers, magazines
  • Email, messages

Usage

  • 目(め)を通(とお)す: skim, look over (quick)
  • ざっと目(め)を通(とお)す: very quick glance
  • しっかり目(め)を通(とお)す: look through carefully

Related words

RELATED WORDS (other 目(め) expressions):

Related Words

Related: 読(よ)む (to read (general))
Related: 斜(なな)め読(よ)み (skimming)
Compare: 熟読(じゅくどく) (reading thoroughly)
Related: 目(め)が離(はな)せない (can't take one's eyes off)
Related: 一読(いちどく) (to read once through)
Related: 目(め)を配(くば)る (to keep an eye on)
Related: 目(め)を引(ひ)く (to catch one's eye)

Related Articles

Body-Part Idioms
general
Added 2026.1.18 19:03 · Revised 2026.10.11 16:18
06500/06904_mewotoosu