look out — be careful or watchful
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To pay attention and be careful to avoid danger or problems.
Say it like a native
Textbook Please exercise caution — there is a vehicle approaching.
Native Look out — car!
As a warning, 'look out!' is what natives shout. 'Exercise caution' is impossible in an emergency.
Pattern: look out (for something/someone)
In use
- Look out! There's a car coming.daily life
- When you travel in a new city, you should always look out for pickpockets.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Look out of the car!
✓ Look out — a car!
'Look out!' alone = a warning. 'Look out OF' means gaze through (e.g. a window) — very different.
Common collocations
look out— look out!, for the step, behind you, mind
Don't confuse it
'Look out' is about being careful, while 'look for' means to search for something.