- An urgent, shouted warning of immediate physical danger or a hazard.
Explanation
Origin
- Direct, imperative commands. Watch and Look mean to use your sight, and out implies looking outwards or being aware of the external environment to spot danger.
- These are fundamental safety warnings in English.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal: (Tone is paramount)
- Yo! (As an attention-grabbing shout)
- Careful!
Vulgar/Emphatic: (Used in extreme urgency, can be rude but effective)
- Watch the fuck out!
- Move your ass!
- Get the hell back!
Milder/Standard:
- Be careful! (Less immediate)
Situational Appropriateness
- Used only in emergencies or situations of imminent physical danger.
- Informality or formality is irrelevant; the urgency overrides social conventions.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Very unlikely to be misunderstood due to the loud, urgent tone and context.
- The primary risk is the listener not reacting quickly enough.
Examples
- Watch out! There's a car coming!
- Look out! You almost bumped into that lady!
- Watch out! That branch is about to fall!
Dialogue
Context
(Person A is walking backwards while talking)
Person B: LOOK OUT!
Person A: (Stops suddenly, turns around to see a large puddle) Whoa! Thanks, I almost stepped right in it!
Person B: No problem!
Social Media Examples
- Usually appears when recounting an event: Crazy moment today biking downtown. Someone yelled 'Watch out!' as a car door opened right in front of me. #NearMiss #BikeSafety
- Rarely used live on text-based platforms due to the immediacy required. Might appear in video captions.
Response Patterns
- Immediate physical reaction: stopping, dodging, jumping back, looking around quickly.
- Verbal responses after reaction: Whoa!, Thanks!, Phew, that was close!, What? What is it?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Speaker usually points towards or specifies the danger immediately after shouting.
- Listener reacts physically first, then often verbally acknowledges the warning or expresses shock/relief.
Conversation Starter
- No. Strictly reactive warnings used only in situations of immediate potential harm.
Intonation
- Loud, sharp, urgent, and commanding tone.
- Heavy stress on Watch or Look, and usually out. Often exclaimed.
- Example: WATCH OUT! or LOOK OUT!
Generation Differences
- Universal. Basic safety language understood and used by all age groups.
Regional Variations
- Watch out! and Look out! are universal in English.
- Mind out! is a common alternative in British English.