look after

look after (third-person singular simple present looks after, present participle looking after, simple past and past participle looked after)

1. (transitive, idiomatic) To watch or protect; to keep safe.

   He asked me to look after his daughter while he was away.

2. (dated) To expect.
   • Bible, Luke xxi. 26

     Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.

3. (dated) To seek or search for.
   • Woodward

     My subject does not oblige me to look after the water, or point forth the place where to it is now retreated.

   • 1893, Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No Importance

     If they are not married, they should be looking after a wife.

• the devil looks after his own

• afterlook