Lindsay McMahon
"The English Adventurer"

Have you heard somebody use the phrase “looky here” in English?

Does it sound as if the person using this phrase is trying to draw attention to a certain situation?

You may wonder what this means because it can be a bit deceiving.

This is one of those phrases that can really take your conversations up a notch in English, and add some fun if you can learn how to use it correctly.

We’re going to talk about this fun phrase, show you how to use it properly, and other similar phrases to insert a bit of sass into your English conversations with native speakers.

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Using This Phrase Properly

It’s probably one of those phrases that you have heard, but you may feel unsure of what exactly it means.

What does “looky here” mean?

It can be used in a couple ways, but it’s about drawing attention to something in more of a sarcastic way.

It’s often used in a fun way when you hear it in conversations.

You might hear somebody say something like, “Looky here, I didn’t think you’d show up.”

You might hear it used in a positive or a negative way, and that’s important to note.

In a positive way it may be used to say something like, “Looky here, you’re doing an amazing job even if it took you a while to get here.”

In a negative way you might hear it used to say something like, “Looky here, you’re finally cleaning the apartment.”

As with anything, the tone of voice that you use will help to make this phrase positive or negative.

Reflecting On Similarities

The phrase “looky here” might remind you of a recent episode where we focused on the phrase “look at you!”

Look At You! How To Show Someone You’re Impressed In English 

What is important about this?

This sort of phrase has spunk and attitude to it, so you NEED the appropriate intonation and expressiveness.

This phrase can show you are extra surprised, sometimes to a point where you are almost in disbelief.

You may be surprised in a way that maybe shows that you didn’t think that this event or situation would happen.

You may be surprised or happy to prove your point, and saying “looky here” works well here too.

You can see that this phrase adds a little fun to expressing your surprise or to getting your point across.

Similar Expressions To Use

Sometimes having other phrases to use in conversation can be great.

You can mix it up and use these phrases interchangeably and see how much fun they can add to conversation.

What other similar expressions can we use?

  • What do we have here/what have we here? This is a great one to use when you are talking about something specific in nature. It’s showing that there is some sort of exception or unexpected situation or outcome. A possible use would be: “I just can’t find a cheap computer at this store. Oh wait, what do we have here? This looks like a great deal!”
  • Well, well, well: It’s a simple word in a very common expression. It means to say “as it turns out” or “who would have thought?” It’s a surprise, but perhaps not to the person saying it. You might say, “Well, well, well–you say you don’t have time to exercise but I see that your calendar is now open on Tuesdays.”

You can even add “well, well, well” to “looky here” and it works out just fine.

You could even say “well looky here” and get your point across as if you are surprised.

These phrases show a certain spunk and are also fun to use in conversation.

Always be sure to be careful how you use them as they can sound a bit sarcastic in nature.

They can be used in different ways with different intonations and therefore be perceived in different ways.

Roleplays Always Help

With fun phrases like this, you want to be sure that you use them appropriately.

This is where a roleplay can really come in handy, as this will help to reiterate how this can work.

In this roleplay, Michelle and Lindsay are trying to find a friend’s house but they are lost.

Michelle says: “I’m telling you it’s on the right.”

Lindsay says: “No it’s not!” 

GPS: “Your destination will be on the right.”

Michelle: “Well well, well. I guess I was right.”

Lindsay: “Fine but there is no basketball hoop at her house. This must be the wrong address.”

(friend comes out of the house)

Michelle: “What have we here? Hi Rachel!”

Lindsay: “Gosh what is with me today? Where’s the gift?”

Michelle: “Right there.”

Lindsay: “No it’s not.”

Michelle: “Oh no!”

Lindsay: “Well looky here. Miss organized forgot it!”

So you can see how this works in real conversation, and it can add a fun element to things.

Takeaway

These are good English phrases that will draw attention to something in a fun way.

Remember that with this as with everything, intonation is huge.

These phrases and the way in which you deliver them can make your language more spunky.

When could you have added them to a recent conversation? Reflect on conversations that you have had in English in the last week and think about where you could have thrown this in.

Try to look for opportunities to add these phrases and see how they can add that certain extra element of interest and sass.

If you have any questions, please leave them below in the comments section.

We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

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