Checking, Paying Attention, or Needing: English Vocabulary List

to strongly demand or require attention, action, or a particular response

"They cry out help."

"The neglected playground in the neighborhood was crying out for renovation, as the broken swings and rusty slides posed a danger to every child who played there."

to pay attention and try to hear a specific sound that one is expecting

"Listen out for the doorbell sound."

"Please listen out for the doorbell while I am in the shower because I am expecting an important package today."

to actively search for and locate something

"Look out for the keys."

"We need to look out for any signs of the rare bird that has been reported in this area."

to make a phone call to a restaurant and request them to deliver food to one's home

"Send out for pizza now."

"Since it was raining heavily, we decided to send out for Chinese food instead of cooking."

to mentally disconnect and lose awareness of one's surroundings

"She spaces out during long boring lectures."

"I tend to space out during long meetings when the topic does not interest me at all."

to examine closely in order to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

"Suss out the situation before acting."

"The detective managed to suss out the criminal's true identity by carefully analyzing the clues at the crime scene."

to be cautious about the safety of someone or something

"Watch out for the car."

"You should watch out for loose stones on the path when hiking in the mountains."

to formally request or direct someone to perform a duty or task

"Call out the name."

"The manager had to call out the entire team to help finish the urgent report before the deadline."

to closely examine to see if someone is suitable or something is true

"Let's check out."

"We need to check out the new restaurant downtown to see if it's worth the hype."

to watch a building continuously, usually by police or reporters, to see who goes in or out

"Police stake out the house."

"The detectives decided to stake out the warehouse, suspecting illegal activities were taking place inside."