look out
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Phrasal Verb:
- To be vigilant or careful; to pay attention in order to avoid danger or problems: Used as a warning or instruction to be cautious.
- To protect someone's interests or well-being; to take care of someone: To act with concern for the safety or benefit of another person or group.
Usage and Examples
- As a warning to be careful:
- Look out! There's a car coming!
- You should look out for icy patches on the road.
- Meaning to protect or take care of:
- Good friends look out for each other.
- It's a parent's job to look out for their children.
Advanced Usage
- "to look out for number one": To prioritize one's own interests and well-being above all others.
- In the competitive business world, you often have to look out for number one.
- "to look out for yourself": To ensure your own safety or interests are protected.
- When you travel alone, you must learn to look out for yourself.
Variants and Related Words
- Lookout (noun): A person who watches for danger, or a high place from which to watch.
- He acted as a lookout while the others entered the building.
- We climbed to a rocky lookout to see the view.
Synonyms
- Watch out: To be careful (often used interchangeably as a warning).
- Be careful: To act with caution.
- Keep an eye out: To watch carefully for something or someone.
- Take care of: To protect or be responsible for someone.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Look out for (someone/something):
- Can you look out for my sister at the party? (Meaning: Can you watch for her arrival/take care of her?)
- I'll look out for any news on the topic. (Meaning: I will watch carefully for information.)
Related Idioms
- Heads up!: An informal warning to be careful or alert, similar to "Look out!"
- Heads up! The ball is coming your way!
Verb
- to protect someone's interests
- A man's gotta look out for his family
- be vigilant, be on the lookout or be careful
- Watch out for pickpockets!