look out for
1 of 1verb/ˈlʊk ˈaʊt fɔr/
Forms:looks out for,looking out for,looked out for,looked out for
1
to take care and be watchful of someone or something and make sure no harm comes to them
- The older siblings were instructed to look out for their younger brother during the school field trip.
- The teacher looks out for her students and makes sure they're safe and well-cared for.
- The animal shelter looks out for abandoned and abused animals until they find new homes.
- I will look out for your investment and make sure it grows steadily.
- I will look out for your pet while you're away on vacation.
2
to be watchful and cautious in order to prevent something negative from occurring
- You should always look out for pickpockets in crowded areas.
- Remember to look out for potential hazards when working with machinery.
- It's important to always look out for signs of illness in your pets.
- Do look out for typos when proofreading your email.
- The teacher will look out for any signs of bullying among the students.
3
to actively search for or anticipate the arrival of someone or something
- I was looking out for my friends at the concert, but I didn't see them.
- I'll be waiting for you outside the theater entrance.Just look out for me.
- I've been looking out for a new apartment for months now.
- I will look out for your email and reply as soon as possible.
- She's always looking out for opportunities to help others.
4
to prioritize one's own interests and well-being, often at the expense of others
- She looked out for herself during the divorce proceedings, ensuring she got a fair settlement.
- Don't let others take advantage of you; look out for yourself first.
- I'm not going to let them take advantage of me; I'm going to look out for myself.
- They looked out for their own family's needs during the financial crisis, prioritizing their well-being over that of others.
- He looked out for his own interests in the company merger, neglecting the concerns of his employees.