ENGLISH
REFERENCE

look over one's shoulder

idiom
Meaning

To check obsessively out of excessive caution or fear of a perceived danger.


Examples
SIMPLE

He always looks over his shoulder when walking home at night.

CONTEXTUAL

After the scandal broke, the manager felt like he had to look over his shoulder every time he entered the office.

COMPLEX

Living in a city where the law was constantly changing, the shopkeeper could never relax and spent his days looking over his shoulder for the authorities.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

Last updated July 12, 2026