look to

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look to (third-person singular simple present looks to, present participle looking to, simple past and past participle looked to)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see look,‎ to.
2. (idiomatic) To seek inspiration or advice or reward from someone.

   Whenever I'm upset, I look to Mary to cheer me up.

   • 1906, Stanley J[ohn] Weyman, chapter I, in Chippinge Borough, New York, N.Y.: McClure, Phillips & Co., →OCLC, page 01:

     But the lout looked only to his market, and was not easily repulsed. ¶ "He's there, I tell you," he persisted. "And for threepence I'll get you to see him. Come on, your honour! It's many a Westminster election I've seen, and beer running, from Mr. Fox, […] when maybe it's your honour's going to stand! Anyway, it's, Down with the mongers!"

3. (idiomatic) To take care of.
   • 1874, Thomas Hardy, chapter 4, in Far from the Madding Crowd. […], volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Smith, Elder & Co., […], →OCLC:

     He thoroughly cleaned his silver watch-chain with whiting, put new lacing straps to his boots, looked to the brass eyelet-holes, went to the inmost heart of the plantation for a new walking-stick, and trimmed it vigorously on his way back; […].

4. (idiomatic) To intend to; to prepare to.

   I think that cat was looking to bite me if I hadn't run away!

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