Phrase guide

look over one's shoulder

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To check obsessively out of excessive caution or fear of a perceived danger.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • This is a cutthroat industry. You have to constantly look over your shoulder.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see look, over, shoulder.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: olla varuillaan — check obsessively out of fear
  • Italian: guardarsi alle spalle — check obsessively out of fear
  • Polish: but see baczyć — check obsessively out of fear
  • Russian: ходи́ть огля́дываться (xodítʹ ogljádyvatʹsja) — check obsessively out of fear
  • Russian: боя́ться ка́ждого шо́роха (bojátʹsja káždovo šóroxa) — check obsessively out of fear
  • Russian: жить как на порохово́й бо́чке (žitʹ kak na poroxovój bóčke) — check obsessively out of fear
  • Russian: держа́ть ухо́ востро́ (deržátʹ uxó vostró) — check obsessively out of fear