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.
“What investors need to look out for is the prospect of tech-driven category disruption beyond this horizon,” the brokerage says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
MacDonald also advised people look out for each other while travelling and to know the risks.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
“We have to look out for our future and our new generations, to be strong in realms other than weapons.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 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
At least, not like I wanted to, because now I had to look out for Maddy, who was just...confused.
From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds
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.
