look out for
Idioms-
See to the welfare of, as in Mary was assigned to look out for the youngsters on the playground . Similar to look after , this expression appears in such terms as look out for number one , meaning “see to one's own best interests,” as in Looking out for number one is Barbara's first priority . Versions of this expression, such as take care of number one , date from 1700.
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Be careful of or watchful for something or someone, as in Look out for broken glass on the floor , or Look out for Mary—she'll be coming any minute . [Second half of 1600s] Also see look out .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jonathan Pearce: I fancy Algeria could repeat the thrills Morrocco gave us four years ago so I've picked a trio of their players to look out for.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
“We have to look out for each other.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026
Here are some of the buzziest movies to look out for that debuted at Cannes this year, including a surprising remake from Russia and an out-of-this-world South Korean thriller about aliens invading a small town.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
She said she wanted to warn other dog owners in Rhosneigr to look out for adders, which pose a particular risk to dogs in the warmer months, according to the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
“I’m your Oppa. I’m supposed to look out for you.”
From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
