to look out for

Examples

• All

• The next skin sign to look out for is changes in your hair.

  KenDBerryMD

• I'm just trying to look out for you.

  Scream VI (2023)

• One more thing, he will look out for our boys too.

• And what he needs is someone to look out for him, Right?

• And so we had to look out for ourselves.

• Now I need you to look out for me.

  The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)

• I think we need to look out for ourselves from here on out.

  Erzulie (2022)

• Each generation must look out for itself.

  Hitler's Children (1943)

• All I ask is that you look out for my interests in return.

  Fiction book (1999)

• I'm looking out for you.

  Small Apartments (2012)

Synonyms

P

to pay attention

vsto look out for

985 1.6

To focus on someone or something and notice carefully

is more about looking after and ensuring others are safe

O

to observe

vsto look out for

605 2.4

To watch something carefully to learn about it

focuses more on care and protection rather than learning or study

K

to keep an eye on

vsto look out for

• Informal

432 2.4

To watch someone or something carefully to make sure nothing bad happens

is more general, including simple noticing as well as monitoring

W

to watch over

vsto look out for

155 2.3

To look after someone or something to keep them safe

is broader, covering both noticing and sometimes brief protection actions

K

to keep an eye out

vsto look out for

• Informal

73 3.2

Watch carefully for someone or something

is also about protecting or supporting people, not only noticing them

O

on the lookout for

vsto look out for

47 3.4

Watching carefully to find someone or something

adds a protective or caring aim beyond merely finding

S

to stay alert

vsto look out for

27 3.4

To watch carefully so you notice danger or changes

adds an element of watching out for people's welfare or support

K

to keep guard

vsto look out for

22 3.1

To stay and watch to protect people or a place

is similar but also covers casual noticing, not only formal defense

K

to keep a close watch

vsto look out for

10 3.0

Look at a person or thing very carefully for a while to notice problems

includes careful watching but also the idea of protecting people

K

to keep one's eyes open

vsto look out for

2 3.8

Watch carefully for danger or a chance

emphasizes caring for others as well as noticing dangers

K

to keep an eye peeled

vsto look out for

• Informal

1 6.0

Watch carefully for something you expect to see

focuses more on guarding or helping people as well as noticing

S

to sniff out trouble

vsto look out for

• Informal

1 5.9

To notice problems or danger before other people do

is broader, covering simple protection and support as well as detection

K

to keep one's eyes peeled

vsto look out for

• Informal

1 4.6

Watch carefully for something important or dangerous

is similar but often includes care or protection for people

Antonyms

I

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

O

to overlook

205 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

How Watchful

to keep an eye peeled

• Informal

1 6.0

to watch over

155 2.3

to look out for

356 3.0

to keep an eye on

• Informal

432 2.4

to notice

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology