take a look
take uh LOOK
/teɪk ə lʊk/
To examine or inspect something briefly.
Suggests a quick or casual inspection rather than a deep study.
The story behind the word. The word 'look' is purely Germanic in origin. 'Taking' a look treats the act of seeing as a discrete object you can 'grab' for a moment.
Word relationships
- glance: Glance is even faster and less intentional than taking a look.
- inspect: Inspect implies a much more thorough and critical examination.
- ignore: Ignore is to refuse to look at or acknowledge something.
Commonly confused with
- look at: 'Look at' is a simple verb; 'take a look' is a more idiomatic noun phrase.
Collocations
- closer look
- quick look
- fresh look
Idioms & expressions
- take a look-see
Example sentences
- "Take a look at this photo I found in the attic." A casual request.
- "Could you take a look at my report before I submit it?" A professional request.
Memory hook
Imagine your eyes are hands that 'take' a snapshot of what you see. Take a snap, take a look.
When not to use
In academic research, use 'examine' or 'analyze' instead of 'take a look'.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'take a look' became significantly more popular in the mid-20th century.
Related words
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