# look over

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/look-over
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to check or examine something quickly to see if it is correct or to understand it better.

For teachers: to examine or inspect something, often for the purpose of verification or to gain a general impression. The verb is transitive and allows for object placement between the verb and particle.

## Examples

- Please look over the contract before you sign your name.
- The manager asked to look over the weekly report to ensure all the figures were accurate.
- Before the gallery opened, the curator took a moment to look over the installation, ensuring each piece was lit correctly.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I overlooked the document to find any errors." but "I looked over the document to find any errors." — 'Overlook' means to fail to notice something, whereas 'look over' means to examine it.

## Usage notes

- commonly used with documents, lists, or physical objects that need a quick check.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'overlook' to prevent confusion between inspecting something and failing to notice something.

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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.