Definition

1. Verb (Phrasal Verb):
   • To investigate or examine something: To try to find out the facts about a situation, problem, or event in order to understand it better.
   • To inspect or check something closely: To examine the state, quality, or accuracy of something.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The police will look into the reported theft. (The police will investigate the crime.)
  • I need to look into the terms of this contract before signing. (I need to examine the contract's details carefully.)
  • The committee promised to look into the complaints from the residents. (The committee promised to investigate the residents' grievances.)

Advanced Usage

• "to look into the possibility of (doing) something": To investigate whether something is possible or feasible.
  • We are looking into the possibility of opening a new branch. (We are investigating if opening a new branch is possible.)
• "to look into the matter": A formal way to say you will investigate a specific issue or problem.
  • Thank you for your email. I will look into the matter and get back to you. (I will investigate the issue you raised.)

Variants and Related Words

• Investigate (verb): To carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine facts.
  • Scientists investigate the causes of climate change.
• Examine (verb): To inspect something in detail to assess its nature or condition.
  • The doctor will examine the patient.
• Probe (verb): To physically explore or investigate something thoroughly and deeply.
  • The journalist probed the financial records of the company.

Synonyms

• Explore: To inquire into or discuss a subject in detail.
• Research: To study a subject in detail to discover new information.
• Scrutinize: To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Look over: To examine something, often quickly or casually.
  • Can you look over this report for any errors? (Examine it for mistakes.)
• Look through: To examine the contents of something (e.g., papers, a book) by reading or viewing.
  • She looked through the old photographs. (She examined the photos.)

Related Idioms

• Get to the bottom of (something): To find out the real cause of a problem or the truth about a situation. This is a stronger idiom implying a full investigation until the core truth is discovered.
  • The detective was determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Verb

1. examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
   • check the brakes
   • Check out the engine
2. investigate scientifically
   • Let's investigate the syntax of Chinese