Meaning & use
looking out
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“looking out” is a form of “look out”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
phraseintransitive
directing your eyes outside, especially through a window or from a high place
Grammar: Often followed by 'of' or 'at': looking out of the window, looking out at the sea. No object is needed when the place is clear from the situation.
Patterns
- looking out of something
- looking out at something
- looking out over something
She was looking out of the window at the rain.
The children stood looking out at the passing boats.
He spent the morning looking out over the valley from his hotel room.
phraseintransitiveinformal
being careful or paying attention to possible danger
Grammar: Usually followed by 'for': looking out for cars. In the imperative, 'Look out!' is a warning.
Patterns
- looking out for someone
- looking out for something
- look out!
When you cross the road, you should be looking out for traffic.
She's always looking out for pickpockets in the crowd.
Look out! There's a car coming.
phraseintransitive
taking care of someone and protecting their interests
Grammar: Followed by 'for' plus a person: looking out for your brother. This meaning is positive and often used about family or friends.
Patterns
- looking out for someone
- look out for each other
Since their parents died, the older sister has been looking out for the younger ones.
Good friends are always looking out for each other.
He's looking out for his elderly neighbor during the heatwave.
Common combinations
- looking out of the window
- I was looking out of the window when the phone rang.
- looking out for someone
- She's always looking out for her little brother.
- looking out over the sea
- The room has a balcony looking out over the sea.
- be looking out for trouble
- The police are looking out for trouble at the match.
Synonyms and how they differ
- watching out
- Very similar for the 'being careful' sense, but 'watch out' is more common as a warning and less common for 'taking care of someone'.
- caring for
- Stronger and more formal for the 'taking care' sense; it suggests full responsibility, while 'looking out for' can be more casual.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: looking out or look out for?
looking out vs look out for
This is not the same as 'look for'. 'Look for' means try to find; 'look out for' means watch carefully to notice or protect.
Practice
When you walk alone at night, you should be looking _____ for strangers.
Choose one answer.
'Looking out for' means watching carefully to notice possible danger. 'Looking after' means taking care of, 'looking at' means directing your eyes, and 'looking into' means investigating; none of these fits the idea of being alert to danger.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “looking out”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.