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Let’s continue mastering English phrasal verbs to speak naturally and fluently. One of the most commonly used verbs in English is "look", and when combined with different prepositions, it takes on a variety of meanings.
In this guide, you'll learn 12 essential phrasal verbs with "look", their meanings, and how to use them in real-life situations.
Why Learn Phrasal Verbs?
Phrasal verbs are everywhere in English — whether you're watching a movie, chatting with a friend, or reading a book. Learning them will:
- Improve your listening and speaking skills.
- Help you sound more natural and confident.
- Make understanding native speakers much easier.
Now, let’s look into these important phrasal verbs.
Quick recap table
Common Phrasal Verbs with "Look" and Their Meanings
1. Look after
Meaning: To take care of someone or something.
Example: "My mother had to look after my little sister when she was ill." — Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
2. Look back
Meaning: To reflect on the past.
Example: "We shall not look back at the ruins, but forward to the work to be done." — The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
3. Look down on
Meaning: To consider someone as inferior.
Example: "She looked down on those who had never traveled beyond their own country." — Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
4. Look for
Meaning: To try to find something or someone.
Example: "He was looking for a letter, which had disappeared." — The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
5. Look forward to
Meaning: To be excited about something in the future.
Example: "I look forward to our meeting, for I have much to tell you." — Dracula by Bram Stoker
6. Look in
Meaning: To make a short visit.
Example: "He looked in on his neighbor every evening to see if she needed anything." — The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
7. Look into
Meaning: To investigate or examine something.
Example: "Sherlock Holmes promised to look into the matter without delay." — The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
8. Look on
Meaning: To watch something without participating.
Example: "He looked on as the soldiers marched past." — War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
9. Look out
Meaning: To be careful or beware of something.
Example: "Look out! The bridge is unsafe!" — The Call of the Wild by Jack London
10. Look over
Meaning: To examine or review something quickly.
Example: "The lawyer looked over the contract before signing it." — The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
11. Look through
Meaning: To read or scan quickly.
Example: "She looked through the letters, searching for one that mattered." — Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
12. Look up
Meaning: To search for information or improve.
Example: "If you do not understand the word, look it up in the dictionary." — A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Tips to Remember and Use These Phrasal Verbs Naturally
- Practice with real-life examples – Try to use these phrasal verbs in daily conversations.
- Write sentences – Create your own examples to reinforce their meanings.
- Listen and read – Pay attention to how native speakers use these verbs in movies, books, and conversations.
Try This:
- Think of three things you look forward to this year.
- Describe a time when you had to look after someone.
- Have you ever looked down on someone? Why?
The more you look into these phrasal verbs, the more natural your English will become. And if you are interested in learning more phrasal verbs, take a look at our article about phrasal verbs with “put”.
