By the looks of it.

[aachu]

If anyone could tell me what does the phrase 'by the looks of it' mean?

[Gillnetter]

If anyone could tell me what does the phrase 'by the looks of it' mean?

How things appear - the ways it seems to be. By the looks of it, there will be rain by tonight. He is not happy, by the looks of it, he will leave his job soon.

Looks here refers to appearance. She is a good looking woman (reference to her physical appearance). That is a good looking boat (same thing). By the looks of it she will be a star in the future.

[BobK]

In Br E the phrase is 'by the look of it' - though the plural is creeping in. The 'good-looking woman' example is interesting, because even in Br E she has 'looks'; but that's a different sort of 'looks'.

b