look up to
English meaning: Look up to
Definition
To admire and respect someone, often someone older or more experienced.
Example
“She looks up to her older sister.”
Another example: “Many young players look up to her as a role model both on and off the pitch.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A warm, neutral phrasal verb meaning to admire and respect someone, often an elder, mentor, or role model ('I've always looked up to my father'). Followed by 'to'. The direct opposite is 'look down on'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From the literal act of looking upward, symbolising respect.
Synonyms
- admire
- respect
- esteem
- revere
- idolise
Antonyms / Opposites
- look down on
- despise
- scorn
Related Words
- admire
- respect
- role model
- idol
- esteem
Common Collocations
- look up to
- always looked up to
- someone to look up to
- look up to him
- look up to as a role model
Word Forms
looks up to; looked up to; looking up to
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B