Hey, a car is coming! Look out!

Another phrasal verb, “watch out,” expresses the same idea. 

Both of these are used when a danger is physical and close by, but they can also be used for other kinds of danger.

Look into

“Looking into” something means researching or examining it closely.

Look for

Here’s another basic one; “looking for” something is simply searching for it. Unlike "look up," it is mostly used for physical items.

Look after

Don't try to imagine this meaning literally because it does not make sense! What this phrasal verb means is to watch and protect a person or other living things such as animals and plants.

Look down on

When a person “looks down on” someone, they feel that they are somehow better than the other person.

This is similar to the expression “look down one’s nose at.”

Look up to

"Look up to" has the opposite meaning of the previous phrasal verb; it means to admire or have great respect for someone.

Look through

This phrasal verb means to read or examine something quickly. It can be used for actual items or for things that have no physical form, such as information.

Look back

Rather than turning one's head to see what is behind, this means to remember and think about the past.

Look forward to

Instead of remembering the past, this means to be excited about something that will happen in the future.

Look on

"Looking on" is watching without getting involved in a situation directly.

Look around

While this can mean physically turning to look in different directions, it's often used to mean exploring an area.

Idioms with “look”

Look alive

Meaning: to be aware or to act with energy and alertness

Look the other way

Meaning: to ignore bad behavior

Look someone up and down

Meaning: to examine someone very closely

Look one’s age

Meaning: to look similar to how a person of a particular age usually appears

Look someone in the eye

Meaning: to look directly at someone without embarrassment or fear