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Grammar fix

look down on

consider inferior

To think that you are better than someone else, or to treat someone as if they are less important.

phrasal verbB2common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Some people look down on others just because they have less money.relationships
  • In my opinion, it's wrong to look down on people who have different jobs or backgrounds. Everyone deserves respect.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: look down on sb

WrongShe looks down to poor people.

RightShe looks down on poor people.

It's 'look down ON someone', not 'down to'.

Patternlook down on sb

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff She regards manual labourers as her social inferiors.

Natural She looks down on people who work with their hands.

'Look down on' is the everyday phrase; the formal version is cold.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • look down on
    onotherspeople whorather

Don't confuse it

Not the same as 'look up to', which means to admire someone.

Try it in Daily Speak →