The phrase "looked up and down" is commonly used to describe a thorough examination of something. The phonetic transcription of this phrase is /lʊkt ʌp ənd daʊn/. The first sound, /l/, is a voiced alveolar lateral approximant. The /ʊ/ sound is a short u vowel sound. The second word, /ʌp/, is pronounced with a short u sound and a voiceless bilabial plosive. The third word, /ənd/, is a schwa sound followed by a voiced alveolar nasal. The last two words, /daʊn/, contain a diphthong that starts with a back rounded vowel and ends with a central vowel sound.
The phrase "looked up and down" refers to the act of visually examining someone or something from head to toe, often in a scrutinizing or evaluating manner. This expression encompasses the action of directing one's gaze from the upper body or face downwards towards the lower body or feet, and then returning one's focus back to the upper body or face.
The purpose of looking up and down can vary depending on the context and intentions of the person doing the looking. It can be an instinctive response to assess someone's appearance, perhaps to gain an overall impression, evaluate their attire, or gather information about their physical attributes. In social settings, people may look up and down to form judgments or make initial assessments about someone's credibility, attractiveness, confidence, or social status.
The phrase is not limited to humans but can also be applied when inspecting objects, such as a painting or a piece of machinery, where a thorough examination is needed to gather accurate information or evaluate its condition.
It's important to note that "looked up and down" can also have a figurative meaning. In this context, it refers to the act of thoroughly considering or evaluating a situation, idea, or problem from various angles or perspectives. This figurative usage implies a more comprehensive assessment rather than a mere physical observation.