Phrasal Verb Spotlight: “Look Up” & “Look Into”
A flat digital illustration with a beige background featuring the text “Phrasal Verb Spotlight: Look Up & Look Into.” A magnifying glass highlights lines of text, symbolizing searching or investigating.
Intro
Phrasal verbs are tricky because one small word can completely change the meaning. Today, let’s focus on two common ones: “look up” and “look into.” They may sound similar, but they’re used in very different ways.
“Look Up”
Meaning 1: To search for information
I looked up the word in the dictionary.
Can you look up that restaurant online?
Meaning 2: To improve
Things are finally looking up at work.
Don’t worry—life will look up soon.
“Look Into”
Meaning: To investigate or explore
The police are looking into the problem.
I’ll look into different options before deciding.
👉 Unlike “look up,” “look into” suggests careful checking or investigation.
Quick Comparison
Look up = find information, or life-improving.
Look into = investigate or research something more deeply.
Practice Time
Try finishing these sentences:
I’ll look ___ the word in the dictionary.
Things are really looking ___.
The company is looking ___ the complaints.
(Answers: up, up, into)
Final Thought
Phrasal verbs can be confusing, but the more you see them in real examples, the easier they become. Remember: 'look up' means to search/improve, and 'look into' means to investigate.
Want to master phrasal verbs in real conversation? Book a Lesson Today
