look down on
يحتقر
بهطور تحتاللفظی: to direct your eyes downward upon someone
Use `look down on` to describe someone acting superior or judgmental toward others based on status.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Thinking you are superior to someone else.
- Always used with the preposition 'on' before the object.
- Describes an arrogant or judgmental attitude toward others.
معنی
To look down on someone means you think you are better, smarter, or more important than they are. It is like seeing someone from a high place and thinking they are small or insignificant.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Talking about a snobby relative
My aunt looks down on anyone who doesn't have a college degree.
My aunt looks down on anyone who doesn't have a college degree.
Discussing office dynamics
The senior partners shouldn't look down on the interns.
The senior partners shouldn't look down on the interns.
Texting a friend about a bad date
He totally looked down on me because I ordered a burger instead of steak!
He totally looked down on me because I ordered a burger instead of steak!
زمینه فرهنگی
The phrase reflects deep-seated social hierarchies in Western history. It became widely used to describe the tension between different economic classes during the Industrial Revolution. Today, it is a key term in social justice discussions regarding how different groups perceive one another.
The 'On' is Essential
Always remember the `on`. Without it, you are just describing the physical act of looking at the floor. 'I look down on him' is an insult; 'I look down at him' might just mean he is shorter than you.
Don't be the one doing it!
In English-speaking cultures, accusing someone of 'looking down on' others is a serious social criticism. It implies they are arrogant and unkind.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Thinking you are superior to someone else.
- Always used with the preposition 'on' before the object.
- Describes an arrogant or judgmental attitude toward others.
What It Means
Imagine standing on a balcony. You see people below you as tiny dots. That is the feeling behind look down on. It is not about height, though. It is about your ego. When you look down on someone, you feel superior. You might think they have less money. You might think they are less educated. It is a feeling of 'I am up here, and you are down there.' It is never a compliment. It describes an attitude of arrogance.
How To Use It
This is a phrasal verb. It always needs the word on before the person or group. You say, 'He looks down on me.' You do not say, 'He looks down me.' It is very flexible with tenses. You can say someone is looking down on you right now. Or maybe they have always looked down on your neighborhood. It is a great way to describe a 'snobby' person. Use it when you feel judged by someone else's pride.
When To Use It
Use this when talking about social classes. It fits perfectly when discussing office politics. If a boss treats a janitor poorly, he looks down on him. Use it when friends are being judgmental. If your friend hates your cheap shoes, they are looking down on your style. It is common in movies and books. It helps describe the 'villain' who thinks they are royalty. You can also use it for groups, like 'rich cities looking down on small towns.'
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical actions. If you are literally looking at your feet, do not say 'I am looking down on my shoes.' That sounds like you think your shoes are socially inferior to you! Also, avoid using it if you just disagree with someone. It is much stronger than a disagreement. It is about worth. If you just think someone is wrong, use disagree. Only use look down on if there is a feeling of 'I am better than you.'
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, equality is a big deal. People generally dislike those who look down on others. It is often linked to the 'class system' in the UK. In the US, it is often about 'new money' versus 'old money.' There is a famous comedy trope of the 'snobby neighbor.' This neighbor always looks down on the main character's messy garden or old car. It is a way to highlight social tension.
Common Variations
If you want to sound more formal, use despise or disdain. If you want to be more casual, you can say someone is acting high and mighty. Another common one is turning up their nose. This is a funny visual. It means the same thing. You can also say someone thinks they are above a certain task. For example, 'He thinks he is above washing dishes.' All these phrases describe that same 'balcony' feeling of superiority.
نکات کاربردی
This phrase is neutral in formality and can be used in almost any setting. Just be careful with the preposition 'on' to ensure you are conveying the social meaning rather than a physical one.
The 'On' is Essential
Always remember the `on`. Without it, you are just describing the physical act of looking at the floor. 'I look down on him' is an insult; 'I look down at him' might just mean he is shorter than you.
Don't be the one doing it!
In English-speaking cultures, accusing someone of 'looking down on' others is a serious social criticism. It implies they are arrogant and unkind.
The Opposite Phrase
The direct opposite is `look up to`. If you `look up to` someone, you admire them and want to be like them. It's a much nicer place to be!
مثالها
6My aunt looks down on anyone who doesn't have a college degree.
My aunt looks down on anyone who doesn't have a college degree.
Shows a judgmental attitude based on education.
The senior partners shouldn't look down on the interns.
The senior partners shouldn't look down on the interns.
Used to describe professional hierarchy and respect.
He totally looked down on me because I ordered a burger instead of steak!
He totally looked down on me because I ordered a burger instead of steak!
Expressing annoyance at someone's pretentiousness.
I'm pretty sure my cat looks down on me for my poor hunting skills.
I'm pretty sure my cat looks down on me for my poor hunting skills.
A funny way to use the phrase for an animal's 'attitude'.
Society often looks down on people who are struggling with poverty.
Society often looks down on people who are struggling with poverty.
Addressing systemic social prejudice.
I used to look down on pop music, but now I realize it's actually quite clever.
I used to look down on pop music, but now I realize it's actually quite clever.
Admitting to past arrogance or narrow-mindedness.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct preposition to complete the phrase.
It is not fair to look down ___ people just because they have a different accent.
The phrasal verb is always `look down on`. Using `at` would mean physical direction, not social judgment.
Identify the meaning of the phrase in this context.
Sarah felt that the waiters were looking down on her for wearing sneakers to the fancy restaurant.
In a fancy setting, `look down on` refers to the staff acting superior or judgmental.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of 'Look Down On'
Used with friends to complain about snobs.
She's so stuck up, she looks down on everyone.
Standard way to describe social prejudice.
We shouldn't look down on manual labor.
In literature or academic social analysis.
The aristocracy looked down on the rising merchant class.
Where you'll hear 'Look Down On'
High-end Fashion
Staff judging your outfit.
Family Dinners
A successful cousin acting superior.
School/University
Students with high grades mocking others.
Social Media
People judging others' lifestyles.
سوالات متداول
10 سوالNot exactly. You can hate someone you think is powerful, but you only look down on someone you think is 'below' you. It is about superiority, not just anger.
Usually, we use it for people or groups. However, you can use it for things that represent people, like looking down on a certain brand of car or a style of music.
The phrase itself isn't a 'bad word,' but the action it describes is considered very rude. Calling someone out for it is common in arguments.
Despise is much stronger and carries more hatred. Look down on is more about thinking someone is unimportant or inferior.
Only if he is physically taller than you or standing on a ladder. For the social meaning, you must use on.
Yes, it often describes how different departments or levels of management treat each other. For example, The tech team looks down on the sales team.
You might hear people say someone is snooty, stuck-up, or acting like their sh*t doesn't stink (very vulgar).
Simply change look to looked. For example: The old neighbors looked down on us because our grass was too long.
Yes, it is a very common phrase that children learn early, often when talking about bullies or 'mean girls' at school.
It is equally common in both! Both cultures use it to describe social snobbery.
عبارات مرتبط
Look up to
To admire and respect someone.
Turn up one's nose at
To reject something because you think it's not good enough for you.
Talk down to
To speak to someone as if they are less intelligent than you.
Think highly of
To have a very good opinion of someone.
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