suss out

suss out

1. To determine, discover, or come to understand something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "suss" and "out." I spent the entire class trying to suss out the meaning of the poem, but I just couldn't get it. It took him a little while, but he sussed it out eventually. We've sent our best operatives to suss the enemy's intentions out.
2. To observe and form an opinion about or estimation of someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "suss" and "out." I strolled around the arena sussing out the competition. I always insist on test-driving a car to suss it out before I'm willing to spend any money.
See also: out, suss
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

suss someone out

Sl. to try to figure someone out. I can't seem to suss Tom out. What a strange guy. I don't have any luck sussing out people I don't know well.
See also: out, suss
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

suss out

v. Slang
1. To infer or discover something; figure something out: The spy sussed out our plans before we began. I don't know his intentions, but I plan to suss them out.
2. To study and evaluate someone; size someone up: They sussed me out and decided I was trustworthy. She's good at sussing out people who apply for the job.
See also: out, suss
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

suss someone out

(ˈsəs...)
tv. to try to figure someone out. I can’t seem to suss Tom out. What a strange guy.
See also: out, someone, suss
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • suss someone out
  • on suss
  • suss
  • involve with
  • involve with (someone or something)
  • involved with
  • arrange for
  • arrange for some time
  • arrange some music for
  • back into
References in periodicals archive
Two cameras suss out the dimensions of the parking space and send the information to a computer.
No, the high-tech way to suss out a liar is to whip out an MRI scanner (try the January sales) and pop your potential porky-pie teller into the X-ray tube thingy and have a look at his brain.