on the lookout for
47
3.4
- idiom
:
estar atento a
- I walked the streets with my eyes peeled, ever on the lookout for hidden paparazzi.
- always on the lookout for
- constantly on the lookout for
- on the lookout for new opportunities
And beforehand you tell them be on the lookout for the letters R&Z;.
- And beforehand you tell them be on the lookout for the letters R&Z;.
- You were also fishing and then always on the lookout for moose.
- I have made a report but want to keep others on the lookout for this type of behavior.
- So I've always been always on the lookout for anything Middle Eastern in Mexico.
- We got a hot tip to be on the lookout for known rioter Seymour Butts.
- We're we're constantly on the lookout for leaders that might be potentially acting not in our interests.
- So be on the lookout for that next question, What does organic mean and why is it better?
Examples
-
Lingren's team is constantly on the lookout for bugs, but not the type used in espionage.
Academic text (1994) -
In other news, local authorities have stated to be on the lookout for this man, who was recently released from Jersey State Prison.
-
Told me to be on the lookout for you.
-
Simply put: they like what they do and are ever on the lookout for opportunities to keep doing it.
Academic text (2007) -
So just be on the lookout for them wherever you see them.
-
He's always on the lookout for new talent.
-
So Fleishman was always on the lookout for ways to promote his services.
Fiction book (2001) -
As a freelance travel writer, I'm always on the lookout for stories and interesting experiences.
Academic text (2011) -
Teacher-librarians are always on the lookout for ways to introduce and reinforce student information skills.
Academic text (2007) -
The police are on the lookout for any suspicious activity in the neighborhood.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To try to find something or someone by looking carefully
291
3.0
Watch carefully to notice danger or help someone
190
1.2
To look carefully for something or someone
153
1.6
Watch for danger or trouble
134
3.2
Watch carefully for someone or something
66
6.0
A person who keeps careful watch for danger or problems
37
3.2
Being careful and ready to notice danger or problems
16
4.6
Watch carefully for something important or dangerous
14
6.3
To move around while looking for something to catch or get
8
3.0
Look at a person or thing very carefully for a while to notice problems
3
7.2
To look around or think hard to find something you need
1
6.0
Watch carefully for something you expect to see
Ready and careful about possible danger or problems
Antonyms
How Alert
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly built from 'on' (in a state or position), 'lookout' (the act of watching or monitoring), and 'for' (indicating the target), so a learner who knows these words can infer 'actively watching or searching for' the target. This compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically natural, making the phrase immediately comprehensible to B1 learners.
Etymology
On the lookout for comes from the image of a lookout, a person high up watching the horizon for danger or for ships. So, being on the lookout for something means 'actively watching' or 'searching' for it.