Look after number one Meaning in English
expression
ˈɫʊk/ /ˈæftɝ/ /ˈnəmbɝ/ /ˈwən
LUK AF-ter NUM-ber WUN
lˈʊk/ /ˈɑːftɐ/ /ˈnʌmbə/ /wˈɒn
luk AHF-tuh NUM-buh won
Definition
To care only about yourself or put your own needs first, ignoring others. This expression often suggests selfishness.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, often used critically to point out selfishness. Not literal—'number one' means yourself. Common in phrases like 'He always looks after number one.'
Spanish: pensar solo en uno mismo - cuidarse a uno mismoPortuguese (BR): cuidar só de si mesmo - pensar só em siPortuguese (PT): cuidar apenas de si próprio - pensar só em siChinese (Simplified): 只顾自己 - 以自己为先Chinese (Traditional): 只顧自己 - 以自己為先Hindi: सिर्फ़ अपनी ही फ़िक्र करनाArabic: الاهتمام بالنفس فقط - التفكير في نفسك فقطBengali: নিজের কথা ভাবা - নিজের স্বার্থ দেখাRussian: думать только о себе - заботиться только о себеJapanese: 自分のことだけ考えるVietnamese: chỉ nghĩ cho bản thân - chỉ lo cho bản thânKorean: 자기만 생각하다 - 자기 이익만 챙기다Turkish: yalnızca kendi çıkarını düşünmekUrdu: صرف اپنے بارے میں سوچناIndonesian: mementingkan diri sendiri - hanya memikirkan diri sendiri
Example Sentences
He only cares about himself and always looks after number one.
basic
It's wrong to always look after number one and forget about friends.
basic
Some people just want to look after number one.
basic
When things get tough, he tends to look after number one instead of helping others.
natural
You can't succeed in business if you only look after number one and ignore your team.
natural
'Don't just look after number one,' my mom always says. 'Think about others too.'
natural