look up
You look up a word when you check its meaning in a dictionary. Things 'look up' when they start getting better.
Meanings
To search for a piece of information in a reference book, database, or online.
"If you don't know what a word means, just look it up in the dictionary."
To raise your eyes from what you are doing.
"She looked up from her book when she heard the door open."
To improve after a difficult period (used for situations, prospects, or things in general).
"I know things have been hard lately, but I really think they're starting to look up."
"Things are looking up for the economy after months of bad news."
— Common journalistic phrasing; widely used in financial reporting, e.g. The Economist, various dates
To visit or contact someone you have not seen for a while.
"If you're ever in Edinburgh, look me up — I'd love to catch up."
The 'search for information' sense is extremely common and used for both physical books and digital searches. 'Things are looking up' is a fixed idiomatic expression meaning the situation is improving.
Commonly used with
Forms
Understand "look up" better
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "look up" on Looplines