look through

Verb

look through (third-person singular simple present looks through, present participle looking through, simple past and past participle looked through)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see look, through.
   • He looked through the binoculars at the bird.
2. To take a view of the contents of; search in, either with the eyes or by hand.
   • I looked through the magazine, but it didn't seem very interesting.
   • Airport security looked through her purse and confiscated her nail scissors.
3. (archaic, transitive) To penetrate with the understanding; to see through.
   • I got a small ring to make; when I brought back the finished trinket to him he stared at me with his sparkling eyes, as if he would look through my very soul, and then said: 'Thou art a clever expert fellow […]1829, Richard Holcraft, Tales of Humour and Romance: Selected from Popular German Writers
   • But a man should have serious consideration enough to look through this deception.1832, The Christian Offering, page 205
4. (idiomatic, often) To appear or pretend not to see something or someone who is clearly visible.
   • I tried to get Michele's attention at the party, but she looked right through me!