case the joint
case the joint {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To study the layout of a place one wishes to burglarize.
The hooded criminals carefully cased the joint before robbing the neighborhood bank.
2. To familiarize oneself with a potential workplace or vacation spot as a matter of preliminary planning.
"Hello Fred," he said. "Are you working here now?" "No, not yet," Fred answered. "I am merely casing the joint."
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms