"Look out for your neighbors" - ambiguity?
Dear italki users,

As far as I know the phrasal verb 'look out for' have at least two meanings: 1) take care, look after somebody, 2) keep alert

I wonder if there is ambiguity in this sentence: "Look out for your neighbors" Can it mean both take care and be alert depending on the context?

Question

"Look out for your neighbors" - ambiguity?
Dear italki users,

As far as I know the phrasal verb 'look out for' have at least two meanings: 1) take care, look after somebody, 2) keep alert

I wonder if there is ambiguity in this sentence: "Look out for your neighbors" Can it mean both take care and be alert depending on the context?

Answer

Usually it would mean to take care of your neighbors. You could say "watch out for your neighbors" to tell them to be alert.

Answer

I wouldn’t use « look out for your neighbors » for take care of them.  I would say « Look after them. » If someone told me to look out for my neighbors, I’d be worried!

Answers · 4

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