# look on

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/look-on
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To watch; to observe without participating.

## Examples

- I look on while the children play in the garden.
- The crowd gathered to look on as the street performers began their show in the square.
- The villagers stood in silence to look on as the ancient monument was finally dismantled by the construction crew.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.