to be on the lookout vs to look out

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English, but they have slightly different meanings. 'To be on the lookout' implies actively watching or searching for something, while 'to look out' is more general and can mean to be cautious or to watch out for potential dangers.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1522 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean actively watching or searching for something.

"to be on the lookout"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone is actively searching for or watching out for something specific. It implies a sense of alertness and readiness.

Examples:

The police are on the lookout for the suspect.
I'll be on the lookout for any good deals at the store.
We need to be on the lookout for any signs of danger.
She's always on the lookout for new opportunities.
The team is on the lookout for a new manager.

Show examples from the web [+]

Telling us to be on the lookout for al-Qaeda.
We are warning everyone to be on the lookout And to report any suspicious behavior.
Let's get Patrol to be on the lookout for all vehicles with cloned plates.
Alert the local hospitals to be on the lookout for a gunshot victim.
Tell them to be on the lookout.
Asking all my police officer friends to be on the lookout for five golden puppies.
And we've a request from County to be on the lookout for a George Aldridge. Absconded from Farnleigh tea-time Saturday.
You told me to be on the lookout for anything coming from Caza.
We post a picture of Keith's plane and ask the group's fans to be on the lookout.
Someone told me to be on the lookout for a guy like you. Really?
That's right. I sent him a telegram asking him to be on the lookout for them just in case.
I'll notify local E.R.s to be on the lookout for hand lacerations.
We all need to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity.
We've been asked to be on the lookout.
I alerted local waste management to be on the lookout for hazardous materials.
Another thing aboveground space colonists... will have to be on the lookout for... is meteors.
Remember, be sure to be on the lookout for potential KTs.
Garcia, call the Iowa State Police, tell them to be on the lookout for a minivan headed East towards route 6.
We got to be on the lookout for a silver vehicle that's driving erratically.
Tell them to be on the lookout for the unsub's RV.

Alternatives:

to watch out for
to be vigilant
to keep an eye out
to be alert
to be attentive

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean being cautious or watching out for potential dangers.

"to look out"

This phrase is more general and can mean to be cautious, to watch out for potential dangers, or to be aware of one's surroundings. It can be used in various contexts to indicate a need for alertness.

Examples:

Look out! There's a car coming.
You need to look out for pickpockets in crowded areas.
Look out for any changes in the weather.
Look out for signs of fatigue in your team members.
Look out for the warning signs of a scam.

Show examples from the web [+]

He made her promise to look out after Emily.
And then he asked Pacey to look out for me.
I told him to look out for you.
I want you to look out the window.
I like to look out for my girls.
His lordship would be lost without me to look out for him.
I'm trying to look out for my son.
Someone had to look out for him.
Used to look out here, you'd see one, maybe two lights.
He asked me to look out properties for your father.
Jews were not allowed to look out of windows overlooking the street.
Got to look out for each other.
People got to look out for themselves.
Just something to look out for.
We got to look out for each other.
Taught me how to look out for something else besides just myself.
My family expected me to look out for her.
Not even to look out the window.
We have to look out for ourselves now.
It's marie you got to look out for.

Alternatives:

to be cautious
to be careful
to be wary
to be on guard
to be attentive

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to be on the lookout vs to look out