look in

visit someone briefly to see how they are

B2

What does "look in on sb" mean?

To look in on someone means to pay them a brief, unplanned visit — not to stay long, but simply to check that they are well. The motivation is typically concern rather than socialising: you might look in on an elderly neighbour, a sick friend, or a child sleeping in the next room. The visit is usually short and often happens while you are already on your way somewhere else. This phrasal verb is slightly more common in British English and carries a warm, caring tone. It differs from simply visiting someone in that the purpose is welfare — you are making sure the person is alright, not just dropping by for a chat.

Examples

How to use it

look in on + person

The most common pattern: the person being visited always comes after 'on', and the two particles 'in' and 'on' must stay together.

My aunt lives alone, so I try to look in on her a couple of times a week.

modal + look in on + person

Very common with modal verbs expressing intention, willingness, or obligation, especially when making or reporting a promise or request.

Could you look in on my neighbour while I'm on holiday? She's been a bit unwell.

look in on + person + on the way / while passing

Often used with phrases that show the visit is a convenient detour rather than a dedicated trip, reinforcing how brief it is.

I'll look in on Grandad on the way home from work — it won't take long.

just + look in on + person

Adding 'just' emphasises how short and low-key the visit is, making it sound casual and considerate rather than intrusive.

The nurse said she'd just look in on the patient before the end of her shift.

look in (without named person)

When the person being visited is already clear from context, 'look in' can be used on its own as a natural short form.

She hasn't been well, so I said I'd look in tomorrow afternoon.

Common Collocations

look in on a neighbourlook in on the childrenlook in on an elderly relativelook in on a patientlook in on a friendlook in on someone on the way home

Common Mistakes

Dropping 'on' or separating the particles

Learners sometimes say 'look in someone' by dropping 'on', or try to place words between 'in' and 'on'. Both are incorrect — 'in on' must stay together, with the person always coming after 'on'.

✗ I looked in my grandmother yesterday to see how she was feeling.
✓ I looked in on my grandmother yesterday to see how she was feeling.
Confusing 'look in on' with 'look after'

'Look in on' means a brief check-up visit, while 'look after' means taking ongoing responsibility for someone's care. Use 'look in on' for a quick pop-by, and 'look after' when someone is in your care for a longer period.

✗ My sister is in hospital, so her neighbour is looking in on her cat for two weeks.
✓ My sister is in hospital, so her neighbour is looking after her cat for two weeks.
Using the passive

Because the person visited is not a direct object grammatically, 'look in on' cannot be turned into a passive sentence. Avoid trying to make the person the subject of a passive construction.

✗ She was looked in on by the doctor every morning.
✓ The doctor looked in on her every morning.

Usage

This phrasal verb implies a brief, physical visit motivated by concern for someone's wellbeing. It is slightly more common in British English and often appears with 'just' or 'on the way' to emphasise how short and informal the visit is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'look in on' only used for visiting sick or elderly people?

Not strictly, but the phrase does carry a strong sense of welfare and concern. It is most naturally used when the person being visited is vulnerable in some way — elderly, unwell, living alone, or very young. Using it for a casual social visit might sound slightly odd, as it implies you are checking up on someone rather than just socialising.

Can 'look in on' refer to a phone call or video chat?

No — 'look in on' specifically implies a physical, in-person visit. If you want to describe checking on someone remotely, 'check in on' is a better choice, as it covers phone calls and messages as well as visits.

Is 'look in on' more British English?

It does have a slightly British English feel and is particularly common in everyday British conversation. However, it is understood and used across other English-speaking varieties too, so it is not exclusively British.

Can I use 'look in on' in the present continuous, like 'I am looking in on her'?

It sounds slightly unnatural in most contexts. Because 'look in on' describes a brief, punctual visit rather than an ongoing action, the present simple, simple past, or future forms tend to sound much more natural. Save the present continuous for very specific situations where you are describing a visit that is literally in progress.

What is the difference between 'look in on someone' and 'drop in on someone'?

'Drop in on' emphasises that a visit is informal or unannounced — the focus is on the spontaneous nature of the visit. 'Look in on' puts the focus on checking someone's wellbeing, so the motivation matters more than whether the visit was planned. Both imply a short visit, but they highlight different aspects of it.

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