lookoutlook‧out /ˈlʊk-aʊt/ noun 
We’re always on the lookout for new business opportunities. Police were on the lookout for anyone behaving suspiciously.2keep a lookout to keep watching carefully for something or someone, especially for dangerlookout for We were instructed to keep a lookout for enemy aircraft. When you’re driving, keep a sharp lookout (=watch extra carefully) for cyclists.3person [countable] someone whose duty is to watch carefully for something, especially for danger4place [countable] a place for a lookout to watch from5that's/it's somebody's lookout British English informal used to say that someone is responsible for deciding what they will do, and will have to suffer any bad results: If he wants to keep seeing her, that's his lookout.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Both Mr and Mrs Tiller were always on the lookout for any child or woman with potential.
- From February to July he was on the lookout for blossoms.
- He resolved the problem by adopting the role of lookout, warning the men when strangers, particularly police, were approaching.
- I told Thompson to alert all the guards on duty to be on the lookout for a small brown rodent.
- My lookout tree is a red spruce.
- Please be on the lookout for talent in your classes and give serious consideration to auditioning yourself.
- So I was on the lookout.
Longman Language Activatorto look for something or someone that you need or want
to try to find something or someone that you need: · Can you help me? I'm looking for a place to stay.· The company is looking for young, enthusiastic graduates to work in its sales department.· I spent months looking for a job, with no luck.
to look for something or someone that you need, especially when it is difficult and takes a long time: · I spent half an hour trying to find a parking space.· Drug companies are trying to find an alternative drug, which will not have such serious side-effects.
especially written if you go in search of something that you need, you go somewhere to try to find it: · Many young people move to the cities in search of a better future.
to spend time trying to find something or someone that you need: · I searched everywhere for a birthday present for Kim, but I found nothing I liked.· I was made redundant last year, and am still searching for a new job.· The school is currently searching for ways to save money.
to look in different places or directions, in order to find a suitable person or thing that you need: · He looked around for somewhere to hang the wet towel.· We're always looking around for new products to add to our list.· They're looking around for a decent apartment, not too far from the city.
formal to try to get or find something you need, for example advice, friendship, or a job: · Economics graduate, aged 25, with business experience, seeks interesting part-time work in the West London area.· If you are at all worried about your symptoms, you should seek medical advice.· The government is seeking support from teachers for its latest education reforms.
informal to be eagerly and continuously looking for something or someone that might be useful to you: · My mother's always on the lookout for a good bargain.· The club is always on the lookout for new young players.· The design department is constantly on the lookout for original ideas.
: job/house/bargain etc hunting when you are trying to find or get a job, house etc: · We rented a car and went house-hunting as soon as we arrived.· Job hunting takes a lot of effort and can be a long, depressing process.
to do everything that you can to find something such as the answer to a problem - used especially in literature: · If a solution can be found, Mr Danby, I shall leave no stone unturned until I have found it.· Union leaders have promised to leave no stone unturned in their search for a way to keep the factory open.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY When you’re driving, keep a sharp lookout (=watch extra carefully) for cyclists.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
When you’re driving, keep a sharp lookout (=watch extra carefully) for cyclists.· I instructed Peter to keep a sharp lookout for enemy fighters and then to follow me.· Of course they kept a sharp lookout in such congested waters for their own safety.
VERB· I instructed Peter to keep a sharp lookout for enemy fighters and then to follow me.· Of course they kept a sharp lookout in such congested waters for their own safety.· Custodians keep an alert lookout for any female without a wedding ring, as lipstick is not good for marble.· Meanwhile, keep on the lookout for those eye-glazing trial depositions.· From his present position, Larsen would be better placed to keep a lookout for trouble and provide backup.· And send a couple of your boys up here to keep a lookout.· Then, with a watchful eye, it can keep a lookout for potential prey without revealing its presence.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► that's/it's somebody's lookout
1be on the lookout for somebody/something to continuously watch a place or pay attention in order to find something you want or to be ready for problems or opportunities: - But Henry was not feeling like defending anyone today, rather he was on the lookout for attack.
- From February to July he was on the lookout for blossoms.
- I told Thompson to alert all the guards on duty to be on the lookout for a small brown rodent.
- Naturally, he was on the lookout for more exciting activity.
- Please be on the lookout for talent in your classes and give serious consideration to auditioning yourself.
- Police are also asking people to be on the lookout for bogus officials following several incidents in the area.
- Still, they will be on the lookout for opportunities to let members know about their achievements whenever appropriate.
- When we find that, we should be on the lookout for some ever-changing enemy, some arms-race rival.
- Soldiers kept a lookout for enemy planes through the night.
- And send a couple of your boys up here to keep a lookout.
- From his present position, Larsen would be better placed to keep a lookout for trouble and provide backup.
- Then, with a watchful eye, it can keep a lookout for potential prey without revealing its presence.
We’re always on the lookout for new business opportunities. Police were on the lookout for anyone behaving suspiciously.2keep a lookout to keep watching carefully for something or someone, especially for dangerlookout for We were instructed to keep a lookout for enemy aircraft. When you’re driving, keep a sharp lookout (=watch extra carefully) for cyclists.3person [countable] someone whose duty is to watch carefully for something, especially for danger4place [countable] a place for a lookout to watch from5that's/it's somebody's lookout British English informal used to say that someone is responsible for deciding what they will do, and will have to suffer any bad results: If he wants to keep seeing her, that's his lookout.