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look on

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look on

to be a spectator and watch what is happening without participating. The beating took place while a policeman looked on. While the kittens played, the mother cat looked on contentedly.

See also: look, on

look on (with someone)

to share and read from someone else's notes, paper, book, music, etc. I don't have a copy of the notice, but I will look on with Carlo. Carla has a copy of the music. She doesn't mind if I look on.

See also: look, on

look (out) on (to) something

[for something] to face onto something or some place. The balcony looks out onto the meadow. My window looks onto the street.

See also: look, on

look on

1. Also, look upon. Regard in a certain way, as in I looked on him as a second father, or We looked upon her as a worthy successor. [Early 1600s]

2. Be a spectator, watch, as in She rode the horse around the ring as her parents looked on. [Late 1500s]

3. Also, look on with. Read from someone's book, paper, or music at the same time, as in I forgot my score; can I look on with you? [Late 1800s]

See also: look, on

look on

v.

1. To watch an incident or event without participating in it: The firefighters battled the blaze while dozens of neighbors looked on. I looked on while my teacher prepared the lesson.

2. To regard someone or something in a certain way: The boss looked on the new employee as incompetent.

See also: look, on