look about

[Gilles L]

Dear Teacher,
I heard the following expression:

"John looks about around"

1. Can you tell me exactly what it means?
2. Does it mean the same as: "to look around" ?

Thank you

[5jj]

I heard the following expression: "John looks about around"

I think you heard someone who was not a native speaker. We either look about or look (a)round, not both.

[Gilles L]

Sorry,
I did not quote the sentence properly. What I heard was:
"John looks about nervously".
My question is twofold

1. What does this expression"to look about" mean" in that context?
2. Does it have the same meaning as "to look around"?

Thank you

[5jj]

"John looks about nervously".
Does it have the same meaning as "to look around"?

Yes.

[probus]

In America we say "look around" while in Britain it's either "look about" or "look round"

[5jj]

In America we say "look around" while in Britain it's either "look about" or "look round".

We use "look around" in BrE as well.