lʊk daʊn ɒn
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- look
- Particles:
- down on
- Separable:
- No
What does "look down on" mean?
- To consider someone or something as inferior or less important
- To have a condescending attitude toward others
- To regard with contempt or disapproval
Examples
- She looks down on people who didn't go to university.
- Don't look down on others because of their background.
- He looks down on anyone who earns less than him.
- Some people look down on manual labour.
- They were looked down on by the wealthy families in town.
How to use it
Negative phrasal verb describing snobbery or arrogance. The opposite is 'look up to' (admire). Being accused of looking down on others is considered a criticism.
Similar expressions
despise
scorn
disdain
belittle
condescend
Opposites
look up to
respect
admire
Related phrasal verbs
- look up
To search for information in a book, database, or online
- look after
To take care of someone or something
- look for
To try to find something or someone
- look into
To investigate or examine something carefully
- look out
To be careful or watch for danger (warning)
- look over
To examine or check something quickly
Use it in a practice answer
Try "look down on" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.