PHRASAL VERBS CONNECTED WITH ‘LOOK’

PHRASAL VERBS CONNECTED WITH ‘LOOK’

          One of the most common actions we take daily in life, is to look.  When awake, we do most things while looking at them.  And indisputably, a greater percentage of our perspicacity or understanding is based on our looking. Alluding  to this, the Holy Bible at Romans 1:20 says:  “For his (God’s) invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable”.  It is therefore apropos, that the word ‘look’ (which is both a verb and a noun) is associated with many phrasal verbs.   Let us now discuss some of the phrasal verbs that are hinged on ‘look’, in this article.

(1)     Look after (somebody) or (something)

Meaning:

To take care of somebody or to take care of something.

Examples:

(i)              Nurses are trained to look after patients.

(ii)             Caring pet owners should ask others to look after their pets when going on vacation.

(iii)           Responsible Christians with aged parents, are scripturally required to look after them.

(2)           Look down on (someone)    

Meaning:

To belittle someone or to consider someone as being inferior to oneself.

Examples:

(i)                            Most rich people look down on the poor in the society.

(ii)                         Why do many university girls look down on others?

(iii)                       Parents should teach their children to refrain from looking down on others.

(3)           Look forward to (something)

Meaning:

(i)              To be excited about some future plans or events.

(ii)           To eagerly expect something in the future.

Examples:

(i)                “I look forward to meeting my fiancé this evening”, Rose told her friend, Rosa.

(ii)             The job applicant looks forward to receiving a favourable reply to his application.

(iii)           Emmanuella, the new bank marketer, looks forward to having a fruitful discussion with Chief Okoro, the wood mogul, later today.

(4)           Look into (something)

Meaning:

(i)                To investigate a matter.

(ii)             To examine the facts about a problem or a situation.

Examples:

(i)                The Chief Inspector of Education has promised to look into the recent

                      riot at Ekarihwo Grammar School.

(ii)             The Labour Master has been asked to look into the habitual refusal of some students to participate in school cleaning work.

(iii)           I have urged the bank manager to look into the fraudulent behaviour of the new cashier.

(5)           Look out

        Or look out for (something/somebody)

Meaning:

i.                   To be careful.

ii.                 To be extra careful or vigilant.

Examples:

(i)                Please look out for commercial motor cycles (Okada) on the busy market street.

(ii)             Always look out for pick-pockets whenever you board commercial tricycle (Keke).

(iii)           Whenever you visit a swampy area, look out for mosquitoes to avoid Malaria affliction.

(6)           Look (something) over

Meaning:

i.                   To check/examine.

ii.                 To try to find a piece of information by looking carefully at or in a source

e.g. in a book or on a computer.

Examples:

(i)                The candidate looked the list over for her JAMB registration number and evidence of admission.

(ii)             Before you use an unfamiliar word, look it over in a dictionary.

(iii)           The invigilator encouraged the candidates to look their answers over, before submitting their scripts.

(7)           Look up to (someone)

Meaning:

To admire or respect someone greatly.

Examples:

(i)                Rosemary is looking up to her aunt, Otiti.

(ii)             Mamuyovwi Eruvwavwe always looks up to Uncle Paulo, the metal sculptor.

(iii)           Hardworking students often look up to their competent teachers.

(8)           Look ahead

Meaning:

To think about the future or to plan future situations or events.

Examples:

(i)                Let us look ahead and acquire skills with which we can earn a living later in life.

(ii)             Young men and young ladies should look ahead and use their youthfulness in a morally upright manner.

(iii)           Farmers usually endure discouragements as they look ahead to the time of harvest.

(9)           Look at (something)

Meaning:

i.                   To think about a subject or a matter carefully so that you can make a decision on it.

ii.                 To consider something in a particular way or direction.

iii.              To read/study something in order to check it or form an opinion on it.

iv.              To examine something in a professional way, especially as an expert.

Examples:

(i)                The Manager and his assistant are looking at the issue of the broken-down generating plant.

(ii)             Many Nigerians are now looking at the potential problems of non-provision for petroleum subsidy.

(iii)           Mr. Obukohwo looked at the land deed to ensure it is free of encumbrances, before he signed as a purchaser.

(iv)           The gynaecologist looked at the pregnant woman thoroughly, before he made prescription.

(10)        Look down your nose on (someone)

          ‘Look down your nose on (someone)’ has the same meaning and

          application as ‘Look down on (someone)’ treated in No. 2 above.