The phrase "had look see" is a colloquial way of saying "had a look to see." The IPA phonetic transcription of this phrase is /hæd lʊk si/. The "h" at the beginning is aspirated, and the following "a" is pronounced as the short "æ" sound. The "d" is pronounced as a voiced dental sound, while the "l" is lateral. The "u" is pronounced with a short "ʊ" sound, and the "k" is a plosive consonant. Finally, the "s" sound is unvoiced and the "i" is pronounced with a long "iː" sound.
"Had a look-see" is an idiomatic expression commonly used in informal conversations, particularly in certain English-speaking regions such as Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. It is typically used to describe the act of observing or taking a quick look at something or someone.
The phrase consists of the verb "had," which implies an action performed in the past, and "look-see," which combines two synonymous nouns denoting the act of visually examining or surveying something. The addition of "had" implies that the speaker had an opportunity or intention to inspect or observe, and "look-see" emphasizes that the act was brief or cursory.
The term is often used to suggest a casual or informal manner of observing, with an implication of curiosity or interest. It may be used to describe a physical examination or a more metaphorical one, such as assessing a situation or evaluating a particular course of action. For example, one might say, "I had a look-see at the new restaurant on the corner, but it didn't seem very promising," or "He had a look-see at the car's engine to figure out what was wrong."
Overall, "had a look-see" is a colloquial expression that effectively conveys the act of taking a quick or casual look at something. It is not typically used in formal or academic contexts, but is frequently used in everyday conversations.