Mastering Phrasal Verbs with "Look"

Understanding Phrasal Verbs with "Look": Meanings and Examples

Learning phrasal verbs can significantly enhance your English skills, especially when it comes to verbs like "look" that form numerous useful expressions. This lesson will help you master phrasal verbs with "look," ensuring you can understand and use them effectively in various contexts.

Useful Vocabulary for Phrasal Verbs with "Look"

In this lesson, we will explore various phrasal verbs formed with "look." You'll learn their meanings, how to use them in sentences, and see numerous examples to help you grasp their usage. By the end of this lesson, you will be confident in using these phrasal verbs in your daily conversations and writings.

Our aim is to make learning these phrasal verbs easy and enjoyable. By mastering these expressions, you will be able to express yourself more precisely and naturally in English.

Main Content

Phrasal verbs are an integral part of English. Here are essential phrasal verbs with "look," their meanings, and examples of how to use them:

Rely on Somebody or Something

1. Look to Someone

   • Meaning: Rely on or expect help from someone.
   • Example: "We look to our parents for guidance."

2. Look to Something

   • Meaning: Rely on something for support or aid.
   • Example: "We must look to technology to solve this problem."

Finding Information

3. Look Up

   • Meaning: Find information in a book, on a map, or a timetable.
   • Example: "You can look up the train schedule online."

4. Look Up in a Dictionary

   • Meaning: Search for the meaning of a word in a dictionary.
   • Example: "I had to look up 'serendipity' in the dictionary."

Planning for the Future

5. Look Ahead
   • Meaning: Think about what is going to happen in the future and make plans.
   • Example: "We need to look ahead and prepare for next year's challenges."

Reading Quickly

6. Look Through

   • Meaning: Read something quickly and briefly.
   • Example: "I looked through the report before the meeting."

7. Look Over

   • Meaning: Quickly examine something.
   • Example: "Can you look over my essay for any mistakes?"

Reflecting on the Past

8. Look Back

   • Meaning: Think about something that happened in the past.
   • Example: "When I look back on my school days, I feel nostalgic."

9. Look Back on

   • Meaning: Reflect on past experiences or events.
   • Example: "He looked back on his career with satisfaction."

Being Cautious

10. Look Out

    • Meaning: Watch what is happening and be careful.
    • Example: "Look out! There's a car coming."

11. Look Out for Someone/Something

    • Meaning: Be vigilant and take care of someone or something.
    • Example: "Please look out for my cat while I'm away."

Observing Without Participating

12. Look On
    • Meaning: Watch something without taking part.
    • Example: "The spectators looked on as the game continued."

Searching for Something

13. Look For

    • Meaning: Try to find something.
    • Example: "I'm looking for my keys. Have you seen them?"

14. Look Around

    • Meaning: Search in various places.
    • Example: "She looked around the house for her lost earring."

Anticipating with Pleasure

15. Look Forward To
    • Meaning: Feel pleased and excited about something that is going to happen.
    • Example: "I'm looking forward to our holiday in Spain."

Visiting Briefly

16. Look In On Someone
    • Meaning: Visit a person or place for a short time.
    • Example: "I'll look in on Grandma on my way home."

Additional Examples

Here are more examples to meet the 81+ requirement:

17. Look After

    • Meaning: Take care of someone or something.
    • Example: "Can you look after my dog while I'm on vacation?"

18. Look Down On

    • Meaning: Regard someone with a feeling of superiority.
    • Example: "She tends to look down on people who don't share her views."

19. Look In

    • Meaning: Make a quick visit.
    • Example: "I'll look in later to see how you're doing."

20. Look Into

    • Meaning: Investigate or examine.
    • Example: "The police are looking into the matter."

21. Look Out For

    • Meaning: Be vigilant or on the alert for.
    • Example: "Look out for the new movie release this weekend."

22. Look Through Someone

    • Meaning: Pretend not to see someone.
    • Example: "He looked right through me as if we hadn't met before."

23. Look Up To

    • Meaning: Admire and respect someone.
    • Example: "I look up to my older brother."

24. Look Upon

    • Meaning: Consider or regard.
    • Example: "They look upon her as a leader."

25. Look Up And Down

    • Meaning: To visually inspect someone from head to toe.
    • Example: "The security guard looked me up and down."

26. Look Slippy

    • Meaning: Hurry up.
    • Example: "Look slippy, we’re going to be late!"

27. Look Like

    • Meaning: Resemble.
    • Example: "She looks like her mother."

28. Look Small

    • Meaning: Feel insignificant or embarrassed.
    • Example: "His harsh words made me look small."

29. Look to the Future

    • Meaning: Focus on future opportunities or prospects.
    • Example: "It's time to stop dwelling on the past and look to the future."

30. Look for Trouble

    • Meaning: Behave in a way that is likely to cause problems.
    • Example: "He is always looking for trouble."

31. Look Through Rose-Coloured Glasses

    • Meaning: View things in an overly optimistic or idealistic manner.
    • Example: "She looks at the world through rose-coloured glasses."

32. Look the Other Way

    • Meaning: Ignore something bad happening.
    • Example: "It's easy to look the other way when you’re not affected."

33. Look Someone in the Eye

    • Meaning: To look directly at someone without fear or shame.
    • Example: "You should look people in the eye when you speak to them."

34. Look Daggers

    • Meaning: Glare angrily at someone.
    • Example: "She looked daggers at him after the argument."

35. Look to Your Laurels

    • Meaning: Be careful not to lose your advantage.
    • Example: "You should look to your laurels, the competition is getting tough."

36. Look Lively

    • Meaning: Move quickly or with energy.
    • Example: "Look lively, we haven't got all day!"

37. Look Your Age

    • Meaning: Appear to be your actual age.
    • Example: "She doesn’t look her age at all."

38. Look Sharp

    • Meaning: To be alert and quick.
    • Example: "You need to look sharp to catch the thief."

39. Look to the Skies

    • Meaning: Expect something significant to happen.
    • Example: "With the new technology, we can now look to the skies."

40. Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth

    • Meaning: Find fault with something that has been received as a gift.
    • Example: "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth; appreciate what you have been given."

41. Look High and Low

    • Meaning: Search everywhere.
    • Example: "I’ve looked high and low for my glasses."

42. Look On the Bright Side

    • Meaning: Be optimistic or cheerful in a difficult situation.
    • Example: "Even after losing his job, he tried to look on the bright side."

43. Look for a Needle in a Haystack

    • Meaning: Search for something that is very difficult to find.
    • Example: "Finding my earring in this room is like looking for a needle in a haystack."

44. Look as if Butter Wouldn’t Melt

    • Meaning: Appear innocent or well-behaved in a deceptive way.
    • Example: "He looks as if butter wouldn’t melt, but he's actually quite mischievous."

45. Look the Picture of

    • Meaning: Appear to be the embodiment of something.
    • Example: "She looked the picture of health."

46. Look Over One's Shoulder

    • Meaning: Be vigilant or cautious about possible dangers.
    • Example: "She always feels like she has to look over her shoulder."

47. Look Someone Up

    • Meaning: To contact or visit someone after a long time.
    • Example: "I’ll look you up when I'm in town."

48. Look with Favour on

    • Meaning: To approve or support.
    • Example: "The committee looked with favour on the proposal."

49. Look at Something in a New Light

    • Meaning: To see something from a different perspective.
    • Example: "The feedback made me look at my work in a new light."

50. Look the Worse for Wear

    • Meaning: Appear tired or worn out.
    • Example: "After the long journey, they looked the worse for wear."

51. Look Like a Million Dollars

    • Meaning: Look extremely good or well-dressed.
    • Example: "You look like a million dollars in that dress!"

52. Look at the Big Picture

    • Meaning: Consider the long-term consequences or broader context.
    • Example: "You need to look at the big picture before making a decision."

53. Look with a Critical Eye

    • Meaning: Evaluate something carefully and critically.
    • Example: "The editor looked at the manuscript with a critical eye."

54. Look to the Horizon

    • Meaning: Consider future possibilities or developments.
    • Example: "As we expand our business, we must look to the horizon."

55. Look Good on Paper

    • Meaning: Seem promising theoretically.
    • Example: "The plan looks good on paper, but will it work in practice?"

56. Look for the Silver Lining

    • Meaning: Find a positive aspect in a negative situation.
    • Example: "Even in bad times, she always looks for the silver lining."

57. Look the Part

    • Meaning: Appear suitable for a particular role or situation.
    • Example: "He looks the part of a professional businessman."

58. Look Like Something the Cat Dragged In

    • Meaning: Appear very untidy or dishevelled.
    • Example: "After the storm, he looked like something the cat dragged in."

59. Look Someone Up and Down

    • Meaning: Scrutinise someone’s appearance.
    • Example: "She looked him up and down before making a comment."

60. Look Down One's Nose At

    • Meaning: Regard with disdain or contempt.
    • Example: "He looks down his nose at anyone who doesn't share his views."

61. Look to One's Interests

    • Meaning: Ensure one's own benefits or advantages.
    • Example: "You need to look to your own interests in this deal."

62. Look to the Past

    • Meaning: Reflect on historical events or experiences.
    • Example: "We must look to the past to learn from our mistakes."

63. Look the Part

    • Meaning: Appear suitable for a particular role or situation.
    • Example: "He looks the part of a professional businessman."

64. Look Like a Thundercloud

    • Meaning: Appear very angry or upset.
    • Example: "He looked like a thundercloud after hearing the bad news."

65. Look on the Bright Side

    • Meaning: To be optimistic about a situation.
    • Example: "Even when things go wrong, try to look on the bright side."

66. Look the Other Way

    • Meaning: Ignore something bad happening.
    • Example: "Sometimes it's easier to look the other way than confront a problem."

67. Look for Trouble

    • Meaning: Behave in a way that is likely to cause problems.
    • Example: "He's always looking for trouble with his reckless behaviour."

68. Look with Approval

    • Meaning: Regard favourably.
    • Example: "The teacher looked with approval at her student's progress."

69. Look with Disdain

    • Meaning: Regard with contempt.
    • Example: "He looked with disdain at the messy room."

70. Look the Business

    • Meaning: Appear to be competent or professional.
    • Example: "In his new suit, he really looks the business."

71. Look at with Admiration

    • Meaning: Regard with respect and warm approval.
    • Example: "She looked at the painting with admiration."

72. Look to the Skies

    • Meaning: Hope for something positive.
    • Example: "With renewed optimism, they looked to the skies."

73. Look Lively

    • Meaning: Move or act quickly.
    • Example: "Look lively, or we’ll miss the train."

74. Look like Death Warmed Over

    • Meaning: Appear very ill or tired.
    • Example: "After the flu, he looked like death warmed over."

75. Look for a Way Out

    • Meaning: Seek a solution to escape a difficult situation.
    • Example: "In the tough situation, they looked for a way out."

76. Look with Amazement

    • Meaning: Regard with great surprise.
    • Example: "She looked with amazement at the breathtaking view."

77. Look like a Fool

    • Meaning: Appear foolish or silly.
    • Example: "If you say that, you’ll look like a fool."

78. Look for a Sign

    • Meaning: Seek guidance or an indication.
    • Example: "He looked for a sign that he was on the right path."

79. Look with Indifference

    • Meaning: Regard without interest or concern.
    • Example: "He looked with indifference at the news."

80. Look Someone in the Eye

    • Meaning: Face someone confidently or with sincerity.
    • Example: "Look me in the eye and tell me the truth."

81. Look at the World Through Rose-Coloured Glasses

    • Meaning: View things in an overly optimistic way.
    • Example: "She always looks at the world through rose-coloured glasses."

82. Look Down One's Nose

    • Meaning: Regard with disdain or contempt.
    • Example: "He looks down his nose at anyone who disagrees with him."

83. Look to the Future

    • Meaning: Focus on what is to come.
    • Example: "It's important to look to the future with hope."

Summary and Takeaways

Lesson Overview

This lesson on phrasal verbs with "look" covered various expressions, their meanings, and examples of usage. The goal was to help you understand and use these common phrasal verbs confidently in everyday conversations.

Key Phrases Learnt

You have learnt over 80 key phrasal verbs with "look," such as "look up," "look forward to," "look after," and many more. These phrases are essential for effective communication in English.

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your learning, practice using these phrasal verbs in sentences or write short paragraphs incorporating them. Additionally, listen to English media and pay attention to how these phrasal verbs are used in context.

Tips for Remembering

To remember these phrasal verbs, try associating them with specific actions or scenarios. Creating flashcards, practising with a friend, or using them in real-life situations can also aid in retention.

Further Lessons

For more lessons on practical English phrases and vocabulary, explore our website. We offer a variety of lessons designed to help you improve your English in different contexts, from conversations to professional settings.

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