up-english

Phrasal verbs with LOOK

Here we have explanations for 17 phrasal verbs which are based on the verb 'look'

Look after

  • Take care
    Examples:
    • Can you look after my dog while I'm on vacation?
    • She looks after her little brother when her parents are at work.

Look back

  • Think about the past
    Examples:
    • When I look back on my childhood, I have many happy memories.
    • He looked back on his decision to study English and felt proud.

Look ahead

  • Think about the future
    Examples:
    • We need to look ahead and plan for next year.
    • It's good to look ahead and start saving money early.

Look around

  • Explore or see what is near you
    Examples:
    • Let's look around the city before dinner.
    • Would you like to look around the house before you decide to rent it?

Look for

  • Search
    Examples:
    • She is looking for a new apartment in the city center.
    • I spent ten minutes looking for my keys this morning.

Look in

  • Make a short visit
    Examples:
    • Can you look in later to check on the baby?
    • The doctor said he would look in again tomorrow.

Look into

  • Try to find out about something, investigate
    Examples:
    • The police are looking into the accident.
    • The manager promised to look into my complaint.

Look on

  • Watch without taking part
    Examples:
    • I didn't play in the game, I just looked on.
    • The children looked on while the adults played football.

Look over

  • Check something quickly without details
    Examples:
    • Could you look over this email before I send it?
    • He looked over the menu and chose a pizza.

Look through

  • Examine something carefully
    Examples:
    • I looked through all the folders to find the missing file.
    • She looked through the book to understand the main arguments.

Look to

  • Depend on someone for help or advice
    Examples:
    • She looks to her father for guidance.
    • I've always looked to Mark in money questions.

Look up

  • Search for information
    Examples:
    • I need to look up the train times online.
    • If you don't know the word, look it up in the dictionary.
  • Improve
    Examples:
    • As you can see, the situation is looking up.
    • Things are looking up now that he found a job.
  • Visit someone
    Examples:
    • I should look up my old friend when I'm in town.
    • If you're ever in Minsk, look me up, and I'll show you around!

Look out

  • Be careful, watch for danger
    Examples:
    • Look out! There's a car coming!
    • She told the children to look out when crossing the road.

Look out for

  • Try to notice and be ready
    Examples:
    • John, look out for my email tomorrow.
    • Can you look out for the postman for 10 minutes? I'm expecting him.
  • Take care of someone and protect them
    Examples:
    • Good friends look out for each other.
    • He always looks out for his little sister.

Look forward to

  • Feel happy and excited about the future
    Examples:
    • I'm looking forward to the weekend.
    • We are looking forward to seeing you at the party next week.

Look down on

  • Have a low opinion
    Examples:
    • He looks down on anyone who doesn't go to university.
    • It's not nice to look down on people who have less money.

Look on/upon as

  • Think of someone or something in a particular way
    Examples:
    • I look on her as a good friend, that's all.
    • He is looked upon as an expert in his field.