look past
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle past
Meanings
Ignore a surface detail and notice what is more important
Why “past”? Attention goes beyond a visible detail, appearance, or excuse to notice what is more important.
“Look past the messy desk and read her strong report.”
“The coach looked past his early mistakes and saw his talent.”
“Try to look past the price and check the quality.”
Test yourself
“Look past the messy desk and read her strong report.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
see past
Same past pattern: beyond the surface
Recognise the truth beyond an appearance or excuse
look after
Same base verb: look
Take care of someone or something
look ahead
Same base verb: look
Think about what will happen in the future
look around
Same base verb: look
Look at all parts of a place or view; Visit a place to see what is there, especially before deciding to buy
look at
Same base verb: look
Direct your eyes toward someone or something
look away
Same base verb: look
Turn your eyes in a different direction
look back
Same base verb: look
Think about events in the past
look behind
Same base verb: look
Turn your head to see what is at your back
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