Avoid vs Don't look at it

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Avoid

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 verb

Don't look at it

Top 5,000 (fairly common)

Most common: Avoid

	Avoid	Don't look at it
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //əˈvɔɪd// 🇺🇸 //əˈvɔɪd//	🇬🇧 //dəʊnt lʊk æt ɪt// 🇺🇸 //doʊnt lʊk æt ɪt//
Meaning	Stay away from something	A phrase telling someone not to watch or pay attention to something.
Example	It's best to avoid fast food for better health.	He said, 'Don't look at it, it's just a prank!'
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 5,000 (fairly common)
CEFR level	A2	-
Part of speech	verb
Collocations	avoid contact, avoid trouble, avoid mistakes	don't look, look away, ignore it, cover your eyes, turn your back
Antonyms	confront, face	-
Common mistakes	Confusing 'avoid' with 'prevent'; 'avoid' means not doing, while 'prevent' means stopping something from happening., Using 'avoid' without an object; always specify what you're avoiding., Misplacing 'avoid' in a sentence, leading to awkward phrasing.	'Look' incorrectly used as 'see' in this context., Omitting 'at' and saying 'Don't look it' instead., Using this phrase when a different tone is needed, like encouragement.
Usage notes	Use 'avoid' when you want to not do something. It's neutral and fits in most contexts, but might sound too formal in casual conversations.	Use in casual conversations or instructions. It's not suitable for formal contexts. Be aware of tone; it can sound dismissive.

See it in real clips

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

I can avoid being seen if I wish...

Ted Lasso › S1 E1

I would avoid #Richmond.

How I Met Your Mother › S1 E1

could you avoid the word "psycho"?

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

I can avoid being seen if I wish...

Ted Lasso › S1 E1

I would avoid #Richmond.

Avoid

You're fine. Don't look at it. Don't look at it.

Don't look at it

Frequently asked questions: Avoid vs Don't look at it

What's the difference between Avoid and Don't look at it?

Avoid: Stay away from something Don't look at it: A phrase telling someone not to watch or pay attention to something.

Which is more common: Avoid and Don't look at it?

Avoid is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Avoid: It's best to avoid fast food for better health. Don't look at it: He said, 'Don't look at it, it's just a prank!'

Can I use Avoid and Don't look at it interchangeably?

Not always. Avoid and Don't look at it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.