acted as lookout

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acted as lookout" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is keeping watch or monitoring a situation, often in a context involving safety or security. Example: "During the heist, one of the gang members acted as lookout while the others carried out the plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

An accomplice acted as lookout.

The New York Times

Collins had keys for a building over the road and acted as lookout.

The Guardian

They started drilling their way through the 50cm wall while Collins acted as lookout man from a building opposite.

The Guardian

Investigators say that Nikita Tikhonov was the shooter and that an accomplice, Yevgenia Khasis, acted as lookout.

The New York Times

He acted as lookout and the gang communicated by walkie-talkie, the prosecution said, rather than their mobile phones, which could be used to track their movements.

The Guardian

His brothers, said to have acted as lookout and getaway driver, were acquitted of involvement in 2009 along with a retired police officer Sergei Khadzhikurbanov, who was accused of supplying the murder weapon.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Down the street, two men working with the three women acted as lookouts.

The New York Times

Prosecutors said the three acted as lookouts, and charged them with participating in the robbery.

The New York Times

Two people acted as lookouts while the other two stuffed clothing, hangers and all, into large black plastic garbage bags.

The New Yorker

The lawsuit makes public for the first time the names of all seven people who had piled into the two vehicles that night, charging that while some were directly responsible for assaulting and killing Mr. Anderson, others were negligent because they acted as lookouts and did not try to help Mr. Anderson.

The New York Times

On occasion, one TransCare worker would act as lookout while "the other one would just be grabbing stuff," said Emanuel Almodovar, a former employee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing illegal activities, ensure that using the phrase "acted as lookout" is consistent with legal definitions of accessory or accomplice.

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone who "acted as lookout" is automatically as culpable as the primary perpetrator; legal culpability depends on the specific context and applicable laws.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acted as lookout" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the role or action performed by a subject. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase accurately describes someone keeping watch or monitoring a situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acted as lookout" is grammatically correct and serves to describe someone who monitored a situation, generally related to some illegal activities. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to describe someone who is keeping watch or monitoring a situation, often involving safety or security. The sources Ludwig provides are overwhelmingly from News & Media highlighting the use of the expression in the context of reported crimes. While grammatically sound, remember that the phrase appears more often in specific contexts, often related to crime reporting. Alternative phrasing such as "served as watch" may be suited to a more formal writing context. The phrase shows a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kept watch

Focuses on continuous observation.

was the sentinel

Focuses on the individual's role in watching.

served as a watch

Emphasizes the role of monitoring.

remained vigilant

Emphasizes alertness and readiness.

stood guard

Highlights the act of protecting.

maintained surveillance

Highlights careful and systematic observation.

functioned as a sentinel

Uses a more formal term for a guard.

was on patrol

Implies active monitoring of an area.

manned a post

Suggests occupying a specific location for observation.

performed reconnaissance

Involves gathering information through observation.

FAQs

How can I use "acted as lookout" in a sentence?

The phrase "acted as lookout" describes someone who is watching for danger or unwanted attention while others perform a task. For example: "During the burglary, John "acted as lookout" while his accomplices entered the building."

What is a synonym for "acted as lookout"?

Alternatives to "acted as lookout" include "served as a watch", "stood guard", or "kept watch", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "act as lookout" instead of "acted as lookout"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Act as lookout" is used for general instructions or habitual actions, while ""acted as lookout"" refers to a specific instance in the past.

What responsibilities does someone have who "acted as lookout"?

Someone who ""acted as lookout"" typically has the responsibility to warn others of approaching danger or unwanted attention, ensuring the safety or success of the primary activity.