look in
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle in
Meanings
Visit briefly to see how someone is
Why “in”? A person, vehicle, message, or result reaches a place or becomes present there.
“Could you look in on Mum tomorrow?”
“The nurse looked in on Mr Chen after lunch.”
Don't confuse with
Look in means visit briefly to see how someone is. Look out means be careful or watch for danger.
Look in means visit briefly to see how someone is. Look around means visit a place to see what is there.
Test yourself
“Could you look in on Mum tomorrow?” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
look around
A contrast learners often mix up
Look at all parts of a place or view; Visit a place to see what is there, especially before deciding to buy
look out
A contrast learners often mix up
Be careful or watch for danger
ask in
Same in pattern: arrival
Invite someone to enter your home
barge in
Same in pattern: arrival
Enter a place rudely without permission
break in
Same in pattern: arrival
Enter a building illegally by force; Interrupt a conversation and begin speaking
bring in
Same in pattern: arrival
Introduce someone or something into a discussion or organisation; Earn money for a person or business; Introduce a new law, system or rule; Deliver a verdict in a court
burst in
Same in pattern: arrival
Enter a place suddenly and forcefully
call in
Same in pattern: arrival
Visit a place briefly, often on the way somewhere; Phone a workplace or radio station; Ask experts or professionals to come and help; Demand the return of money lent
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “look in”.
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