to carefully check or examine someone's background and qualifications to make sure they are trustworthy or suitable.
From 'vet' (short for veterinary), originally meaning to examine a horse before buying. By the 20th century, it expanded metaphorically to mean any careful examination or approval process.
Security clearances for government jobs involve intense vetting—investigators examine your financial records, contacts, travel history, and even childhood—making it one of the most thorough background checks a person can undergo.
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