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look out for someone

B1 informal inseparable transitive

To watch over and protect someone, or to be alert so you can help them.

In plain English

You make sure someone is safe and help them if something bad happens.

What does "look out for someone" mean?

2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To watch over and protect someone, making sure they are safe and well.

"Promise me you'll look out for your little brother while I'm away."

You've got to look out for each other out there.

— Common phrase in military and sports contexts; widely cited in interview transcripts and film dialogue
inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To be alert on someone's behalf so you can spot opportunities or dangers for them.

"I'll look out for any job openings that might suit you."

inseparable
Usage tip

Warm and caring in tone. Also used reflexively: 'look out for yourself.' Common in everyday speech in both British and American English.

Words that pair with "look out for someone"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

friend yourself family each other teammates kids

How to conjugate "look out for someone"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
look out for someone
I/you/we/they
3rd person
looks out for someone
he/she/it
Past simple
looked out for someone
yesterday
Past participle
looked out for someone
have + pp
-ing form
looking out for someone
continuous

Hear "look out for someone" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "look out for someone" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "look out for someone"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

have someone's back keep an eye on look after protect take care of watch over

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