Look somebody up and down
verb
To look at a person from head to toe, often in a way that shows you are judging them.
She looked him up and down, evaluating his outfit.
Often appears as...
- quickly look someone up and down
- subtly look someone up and down
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To scan someone slowly, usually to assess their physical appearance.
He looked her up and down, admiring her fashion sense.
Often appears as...
- smilingly look someone up and down
- admiringly look someone up and down
verb
To look at a person from head to toe, often in a way that shows you are judging them.
She looked him up and down, evaluating his outfit.
Often appears as...
- quickly look someone up and down
- subtly look someone up and down
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To scan someone slowly, usually to assess their physical appearance.
He looked her up and down, admiring her fashion sense.
Often appears as...
- smilingly look someone up and down
- admiringly look someone up and down
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Judgmental Tone
This phrase can imply a critical assessment of someone's appearance or style.
As soon as he walked in, the group looked him up and down, whispering disapprovingly among themselves.
Pro Tip 2/3Non-Verbal Opinion
Using this phrase shows an opinion is being formed without saying anything out loud.
The fashion designer looked her up and down, pondering her model potential.
Pro Tip 3/3Possible Discomfort
Someone might feel uncomfortable or embarrassed when looked up and down.
At the interview, the panel looked her up and down, making her nervous.
Pro Tip 1/3Judgmental Tone
This phrase can imply a critical assessment of someone's appearance or style.
As soon as he walked in, the group looked him up and down, whispering disapprovingly among themselves.
Pro Tip 2/3Non-Verbal Opinion
Using this phrase shows an opinion is being formed without saying anything out loud.
The fashion designer looked her up and down, pondering her model potential.
Pro Tip 3/3Possible Discomfort
Someone might feel uncomfortable or embarrassed when looked up and down.
At the interview, the panel looked her up and down, making her nervous.
Pro Tip 1/3Judgmental Tone
This phrase can imply a critical assessment of someone's appearance or style.
As soon as he walked in, the group looked him up and down, whispering disapprovingly among themselves.
Pro Tip 2/3Non-Verbal Opinion
Using this phrase shows an opinion is being formed without saying anything out loud.
The fashion designer looked her up and down, pondering her model potential.
Pro Tip 3/3Possible Discomfort
Someone might feel uncomfortable or embarrassed when looked up and down.
At the interview, the panel looked her up and down, making her nervous.
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