by the look of something Definition

look
verb looked, looking

intr
1. To direct one's sight.

Example: looked out of the window
Thesaurus: observe, behold, peer, stare, take a gander (slang).
2. To seem to be; to have the appearance of being.

Example: She looked much younger than she was
Example: She looked an absolute sight
Thesaurus: appear, display, seem, resemble.
intr
3. To face or be turned in a specified direction.

Example: The window looks south
4. To express by a look.

Example: She was looking daggers at him
5. To consider or realize

Example: Just look what you've done!

noun

1a. An act or the action of looking; a glance or view;

Example: had a look through his photos
1b. A glance or stare that conveys a particular feeling or emotion.

Example: gave her an impatient look
Thesaurus: stare, glimpse, examination.
2. The outward appearance of something or someone.

Example: She always has that tired look
Example: She didn't like the looks of the restaurant
Thesaurus: appearance, aspect, bearing, countenance, air, presence, mien, semblance.
Form: looks (sometimes)
3. Beauty; attractiveness.

Form: looks
4. A particular way of dressing, etc, especially one that is different or particularly up-to-date.

Example: went for a punk look
5a. A search;

Example: I'll have another look for that missing CD
5b. A browse.
6. Used as an exclamation to call for attention or to express protest

Example: Look, you just can't behave like that!
Example: Look here! What do you think you're doing?
Form: Look here! (sometimes)

Idiom: be nothing to look at (nothing much to look at, not be much to look at)

colloq
To be plain or unattractive.

Idiom: by the look of someone or something (by the looks of someone or something)

colloq
Going by appearances.
Example: By the look of him, he's in need of a rest

Idiom: by the look of things

colloq
Going by how things stand at the moment.
Example: By the look of things, we won't get this finished today

Idiom: Here's looking at you

colloq
Said when dedicating a toast: let's drink to your continued health.

Idiom: look down one's nose at someone or something

colloq
To disapprove of them or it; to treat them or it with contempt.

Idiom: have a look at something (take a look at something)

To make an inspection of it.

Idiom: look as if (look as though)

To appear to be the case that; to give the impression that.
Example: looks as though she'd seen a ghost

Idiom: look like

To seem probable.
Example: looks like it will rain

To appear to be similar to.
Example: looks like her sister

To seem to be.
Example: He looks like a nice guy

Idiom: look oneself

To seem to be as healthy as usual
Example: He doesn't quite look himself yet, does he?

Idiom: look the part

To appear to be very well suited (to do or be something).
Example: In the yellow lizard costume, he really did look the part

Idiom: look a picture

Said usually of a female: to be extremely attractive.
Example: The bride looked an absolute picture

Idiom: look right through someone (look straight through someone)

colloq
To ignore them on purpose.

Idiom: look sharp

colloq
To hurry up.
Example: We'd better look sharp if we're going to be there for seven

Idiom: look someone up and down

To take in someone's entire appearance.

Idiom: never look back

To continue to make progress or to prosper.
Example: After the operation he never looked back

Idiom: not know where to look

To feel acutely embarrassed.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon locian.

Phrasal Verb: look after someone or something

To attend to or take care of them or it.

Phrasal Verb: look ahead

To consider what will happen in the future.

Phrasal Verb: look around

To hunt about for something.

Phrasal Verb: look at

To turn the eyes in a certain direction so as to see; to use one's sight.To think about something.
Example: We have to look at all the implications
To consider someone as a possible sexual or romantic partner.
Example: never looked at another woman
To be expecting, hoping, facing, etc something or to do something.
Example: His lawyer said he was looking at five years for the robbery

Phrasal Verb: look back

To think about the past; to reminisce.

Phrasal Verb: look down on or upon someone or something

To consider them or it inferior or contemptible.

Phrasal Verb: look for someone or something

To search for them or it;To be hoping for it.
Example: He was looking for around £100 for the bike

Phrasal Verb: look forward to something

To anticipate it with pleasure.

Phrasal Verb: look in on someone

To visit them briefly.

Phrasal Verb: look into something

To investigate it.

Phrasal Verb: look on

To watch without taking part.

Phrasal Verb: look on or upon someone or something in a certain way

To think of or consider them or it in that way.
Example: Look on it as a bonus
Example: You should look upon me as a friend

Phrasal Verb: look out

To keep watch and be careful;Used as an exclamation warning of imminent danger. See also lookout.

Phrasal Verb: look out something

To find it by searching.
Example: I'll look out that magazine for you

Phrasal Verb: look out for someone or something

To be alert about finding them or it.To protect.
Example: He has always looked out for his younger brother

Phrasal Verb: look over something

To check it cursorily or quickly.
Example: looked over her daughter's homework

Phrasal Verb: look through something

To read or examine it.

Phrasal Verb: look to someone or something

To rely on, turn to or refer to them or it.
Example: looked to her for support

Phrasal Verb: look up

To show signs of improving.
Example: The weather's looking up at last

Phrasal Verb: look someone up

To visit or get in touch with them.
Example: I'll look you up when I'm next in town

Phrasal Verb: look something up

To search for (an item of information) in a reference book.

Phrasal Verb: look up to someone

To respect their behaviour, opinions, etc.