The phrasal verb "look up to" is primarily used in informal contexts, though it can appear in formal speech or writing as well, especially when discussing personal relationships or admiration in a more personable manner. This verb is commonly employed to express admiration or respect towards someone, typically someone deemed as a role model or possessing qualities one aspires to emulate. It is frequently used in discussions about mentors, leaders, or respected figures, often within familial, workplace, or educational settings. Emotional or value-based in its implication, "look up to" signifies a sense of esteem that transcends mere acknowledgment of authority or hierarchy, imbuing the relationship with a personal, often aspirational, dimension. Thus, its utility spans across generations and social settings wherever admiration is acknowledged.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To admire and hold someone in high esteem, often modeling one's behavior after them.
Children often look up to their parents as role models.
She has always looked up to her older sister and followed in her footsteps.
Many young athletes look up to professional players and aspire to be like them.
Employees tend to look up to a fair and hardworking boss.
He looks up to his grandfather, who taught him the value of hard work.