look sharp

Idioms  

1. Get moving, be alert, as in The coach told the team they would have to look sharp if they wanted to win. This colloquial expression, dating from the early 1700s, originally meant “to keep a strict watch” but acquired its present sense in the early 1800s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

look sharp

In fact, it specializes in “mid,” or “gourmet cheeseburger,” TV, shows that look sharp, have a great cast, a killer setup…yet still leave you wanting just a bit more.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 30, 2025

Pat Nevin: They look sharp and the new buys are just fabulous - Estevao Willian has every chance of being the best in the business.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2025

"By doing this, as the analysis in the paper predicts, it generates 3D shapes that look sharp and realistic," he says.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 4, 2024

The Buffalo Bills routed the Rams in the opener and the offense did not look sharp in victories over the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2022

A soft glow filled the air with the kind of light that made everything look sharp and clear and close enough to reach out and touch.

From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster