look after sb/sth/yourself
phr. v..phr. v.. To take care of someone or something. You are responsible for their safety or well-being.
phr. v.. To assume responsibility for the welfare, supervision, or maintenance of a person, animal, or object.
Can you look after my cat this weekend?
My parents often look after my children when I have to work late.
The conservator meticulously looked after the ancient manuscript, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
- Particles
- after
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- look + after + object
This phrase always takes an object, which is the person, animal, or thing being cared for.
Contrast with 'take care of' (a near-synonym) and 'care for' (slightly more formal); 'look after' is the most common in everyday speech.
She looks after of her little brother.She looks after her little brother.The object follows 'after' directly; no extra preposition like 'of' is needed.