12 Must-Know Phrasal Verbs with “LOOK” to Sound More Natural in English

Advanced Level | June 26, 2025

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Why “LOOK” Phrasal Verbs Matter

If you want to sound more fluent and natural in English, learning phrasal verbs is a must—especially with common verbs like look. These expressions appear often in business, social, and everyday settings.

Today’s focus: 12 advanced phrasal verbs using “look” that will help you express yourself more naturally and professionally.

Real English, Real Results

Phrasal verbs with “look” aren’t just useful—they’re powerful. Whether you’re in a meeting, on a video call, or chatting casually with colleagues, these expressions can:

Make your speech sound more fluent
Help you understand native speakers better
Show emotional nuance and leadership

Let’s jump in.

12 Phrasal Verbs with “LOOK”

1. Look after

Meaning: To take care of someone or something.
Example: I’m looking after our international clients while James is on vacation.
When to use: Use this when you’re responsible for managing people, tasks, or things—especially in situations where you’re temporarily covering for someone or filling in a caretaking role.

2. Look ahead

Meaning: To think about and plan for the future.
Example: We need to look ahead to the next quarter’s goals.
When to use: Use this when discussing strategy, goal setting, or preparing for upcoming events or deadlines.

3. Look back

Meaning: To reflect on the past.
Example: When I look back on our first product launch, I see how far we’ve come.
When to use: Use this when analyzing past experiences, reviewing performance, or sharing lessons learned.

4. Look down on

Meaning: To think someone is inferior.
Example: He tends to look down on colleagues who don’t have MBAs.
When to use: Use this when discussing interpersonal issues, conflict, or workplace attitudes that affect collaboration.

5. Look for

Meaning: To search or try to find something.
Example: I’m looking for the latest report—have you seen it?
When to use: Use this when you’re actively searching for a document, opportunity, solution, or piece of information.

6. Look forward to

Meaning: To feel excited or positive about something that will happen.
Example: I’m looking forward to our presentation next week.
When to use: Use this when expressing anticipation or enthusiasm about future events, meetings, or projects.

7. Look into

Meaning: To investigate or examine.
Example: We’ll look into that issue and follow up by tomorrow.
When to use: Use this when promising to research a problem, explore a question, or evaluate a situation.

8. Look out

Meaning: To be careful or watchful.
Example: Look out for phishing emails—they’re on the rise lately.
When to use: Use this when warning someone about a risk or asking them to stay alert.

9. Look over

Meaning: To review or check something quickly.
Example: Could you look over this document before I send it?
When to use: Use this when asking for a quick review or feedback, often right before sending or submitting something.

10. Look through

Meaning: To scan or examine something in detail.
Example: I looked through the files but couldn’t find the contract.
When to use: Use this when you’re searching for specific information within a group of documents or items.

11. Look to

Meaning: To rely on or expect guidance from someone.
Example: The team looks to you for leadership during these transitions.
When to use: Use this when referring to leadership, mentorship, or guidance in a professional setting.

12. Look up to

Meaning: To admire or respect someone.
Example: She’s someone I really look up to—her communication skills are amazing.
When to use: Use this when describing role models, mentors, or people you respect professionally or personally.

Practice Makes Progress

Choose three of the expressions above. Create your own sentences related to your work life. Say them out loud. Then try using one in your next real conversation.

Small, daily practice like this helps build long-term memory and fluency.

Vocabulary List

Nuance (noun) — A subtle difference in meaning or tone.
Example: Her emails always show a professional nuance.
Inferior (adjective) — Lower in quality or status.
Example: They felt treated as inferior during the meeting.
Phishing (noun) — A type of online scam using fake emails to get information.
Example: That email was a phishing attempt—don’t click the link.
Admire (verb) — To respect or look up to someone.
Example: I admire how calm she stays under pressure.
Transition (noun) — A period of change from one situation to another.
Example: The company is in a big leadership transition.
Contract (noun) — A formal written agreement.
Example: We just signed a new vendor contract.
Presentation (noun) — A formal speech or demonstration.
Example: He gave an excellent presentation on our Q2 results.
Reflect (verb) — To think back and consider.
Example: She took a moment to reflect before answering.
Colleague (noun) — A person you work with.
Example: My colleague and I finished the report together.
Rely (verb) — To depend on someone or something.
Example: We rely on accurate data to make decisions.

5 Questions About the Article

What is the benefit of using phrasal verbs in your conversations?
What’s the difference between “look over” and “look through”?
Which phrasal verb means to investigate a situation?
What can “look down on” imply about someone’s behavior?
Why should professionals learn to use “look ahead” in meetings?

5 Open-Ended Discussion Questions

Which of these “look” phrasal verbs do you already use?
Which one feels most useful in your job?
Have you ever misunderstood a phrasal verb in conversation?
How do you usually learn new phrases or expressions?
What strategies help you sound more natural in English?

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