look after

To keep someone or something safe, healthy, and comfortable.

• I look after my little brother.
• She looked after her father when he was ill.
• Who will look after the plants while we are away?

How to use it: look after someone/something (Can you look after our cat this weekend?)

Similar words: care for, take care of

Opposites: neglect

Common phrases: look after someone, look after children, look after pets

To be responsible for a job, activity, or area of work.

• I look after the bookings.
• He looked after the company finances for years.
• Who looks after sales in your office?

How to use it: look after something (Maya looks after all our travel arrangements.)

Similar words: manage, handle, oversee

Common phrases: look after accounts, look after bookings, look after something

To watch someone or something as they move away.

• She looked after him as he left.
• The boy looked after the ship until it vanished.
• He stood at the gate, looking after the departing carriage.

How to use it: look after someone/something (She looked after the carriage as it disappeared.)

Similar words: watch, follow with your eyes

Common phrases: look after someone, look after something

To try to find someone or something.

• He went to look after his missing horse.
• They looked after the lost papers all morning.
• Send someone to look after the absent servant.

How to use it: look after someone/something (The servant went to look after the missing papers.)

Similar words: look for, search for, seek

Common phrases: look after someone, look after something