look down upon
B1 formal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To think you are better than someone or something, in a more formal way of saying it.
Literal meaning: To direct one's gaze downward upon someone — height as a metaphor for superiority.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
formal
To regard someone as socially, morally, or intellectually inferior; to feel superior to someone. (Formal variant of 'look down on'.)
"In the Victorian era, those who worked with their hands were often looked down upon by the upper classes."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
'Look down upon' is slightly more formal and often appears in written English, speeches, and academic or literary contexts. In everyday speech, 'look down on' is more natural. The two are fully interchangeable in meaning.
Commonly used with
the poor others manual labour those who social inferiors trade
Forms
Base
look down upon
I/you/we/they
3rd person
looks down upon
he/she/it
Past simple
looked down upon
yesterday
Past participle
looked down upon
have + pp
-ing form
looking down upon
continuous
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