Cool MateCareful with that thing vs Look out
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Careful with that thing
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Look out
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Look out
| Careful with that thing | Look out | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkeəfəl wɪð ðæt θɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈkerfəl wɪð ðæt θɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //lʊk aʊt//🇺🇸 //lʊk aʊt// |
| Meaning | Be cautious when using or handling something. | Be careful or watch for something. |
| Example | I said, 'Careful with that thing!' as she picked up the glass vase. | Look out for cars when crossing the street. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | Careful with your words, Careful with the fragile items, Careful with the equipment | look out for danger, look out for each other, look out from the window |
| Common mistakes | Using it in overly formal contexts., Not addressing who the warning is directed to., Ignoring the context of potential danger or delicacy. | Confused with 'look after' which means to care for someone., Using 'look out' incorrectly in passive voice., Misusing 'look out' as a noun. |
| Usage notes | Used informally to warn someone to be cautious with an object, often used when the object seems dangerous or delicate. | Used to warn someone of danger or to advise them to be cautious. It is appropriate in everyday conversations but may sound too informal in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Careful with that thing vs Look out
What's the difference between Careful with that thing and Look out?
Careful with that thing: Be cautious when using or handling something. Look out: Be careful or watch for something.
Which is more formal: Careful with that thing and Look out?
Look out is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Careful with that thing: I said, 'Careful with that thing!' as she picked up the glass vase. Look out: Look out for cars when crossing the street.
Can I use Careful with that thing and Look out interchangeably?
Not always. Careful with that thing and Look out 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.