look over one's shoulder
The phrase "look over one's shoulder" is often used to describe a state of vigilance or caution, stemming from a perceived threat or need for accuracy.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)To be vigilant or cautious due to a sense of being watched or pursued.
Example
- After the theft, she was always looking over her shoulder, afraid the thief might return.
- Living in a dangerous neighborhood, he constantly looks over his shoulder.
B2Work
(idiomatic)To review or check something carefully to ensure it is correct.
Example
- Before submitting the report, she looked over her shoulder to double-check the figures.
- He tends to look over his shoulder when proofreading important documents.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "look over one's shoulder":
watch one's backlook backlook overshoulder checkout of the corner of one's eyeturn one's backwatch one's steprear viewsquare one's shoulderson someone's backlook aheadkeep a lookoutshoulder surfinglook out for someonerear-view mirrorlook on