look out for

Idioms  

1. 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.

2. 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 .

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

look out for

If you’re there for the regatta, look out for an appearance from the parish priest.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

And it is urging people to look out for friends, family and neighbours who could be vulnerable during the World Cup.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

President Emmanuel Macron on X urged French people to "look out for others", especially the elderly, children and isolated or vulnerable people.

From Barron's ● Jun. 21, 2026

Here are some others to look out for.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026

The intermediate children, Frank, Bill, Lill and Fred, were considered old enough to look out for themselves, but not old enough to look after anyone else.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey