What Does "look down on" Mean?
- Meaning of the collocation or phrasal verb
"Look down on" means to regard someone or something as inferior, worthless, or unimportant. It implies a feeling of superiority and disdain.
- Whether meaning is compositional or semi-idiomatic
The meaning is semi-idiomatic. While "look down" literally means to direct one's gaze downward, the addition of "on" transforms the meaning into a figurative expression of contempt or condescension. It's not fully predictable from the individual words.
- Register: formal / informal / neutral
The register is generally neutral to informal. It can be used in everyday conversation and writing, but might be replaced with more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional contexts.
How to Use It
- Grammatical pattern: verb + particle + preposition
The grammatical pattern is: look (verb) + down (particle) + on (preposition) + object (noun/pronoun).
- Typical objects, complements, or prepositions that follow
The typical object is a noun or pronoun representing the person, group, or thing being regarded as inferior. The preposition "on" is essential to the meaning.
- Can the components be separated? (for phrasal verbs)
The components of "look down on" cannot be separated. It's an inseparable phrasal verb.
- What sounds unnatural: wrong verb, wrong preposition, wrong object
Using a different verb (e.g., see down on, stare down on) sounds unnatural. Using the wrong preposition (e.g., look down at, look down to) changes or negates the intended meaning. Omitting "on" also makes the sentence grammatically incorrect and changes the meaning.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from look down on on Ludwig.guru.
"They'll look down on you"." — The New York Times - Food
"Cats look down on us." — Independent
"SOME people look down on puns." — The Economist
"You can't look down on people." — Independent
"They look down on Trump"." — The New Yorker
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/look+down+on
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| despise |
Stronger negative connotation; implies hatred or disgust. |
| scorn |
Suggests open contempt and derision. |
| disdain |
A more formal and aloof form of contempt. |
| belittle |
To make someone or something seem less important. |
| patronize |
To treat someone with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority. |
| think little of |
To have a low opinion of someone or something. |
| hold in contempt |
Formal; expresses strong disapproval and lack of respect. |
Common Mistakes
- A common mistake is using the wrong preposition, such as saying "look down at" or "look down from".
- It's also incorrect to separate the phrasal verb; you can't say "look her down on".
- Using a synonym that doesn't quite capture the nuance of superiority can also be an error; for example, simply saying someone dislikes something might not convey the full meaning.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Meaning |
Grammatical Pattern |
Register |
| look down on |
To regard someone or something as inferior or worthless. |
verb + particle + preposition + object |
Neutral to Informal |
FAQs
Can I separate the parts of "look down on"? For example, can I say "look them down on"?
No, the parts of "look down on" cannot be separated. It is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning the verb, particle, and preposition must stay together to maintain the correct meaning and grammatical structure. Therefore, "look them down on" is incorrect.
How is "look down on" different from simply disliking something?
While disliking something implies a negative feeling, "look down on" goes further by suggesting a feeling of superiority. When you look down on something, you consider it to be beneath you or of lesser value than yourself or your own preferences, implying a sense of disdain or contempt.
Is it correct to say "look down at" instead of "look down on"? What's the difference?
No, it's generally incorrect to use "look down at" when you mean "look down on". While "look down at" can describe the literal act of directing your gaze downwards, "look down on" is the idiomatic expression that means to regard someone or something as inferior. A common mistake is using the wrong preposition, such as saying "look down at" or "look down from".