Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a brief visit.

1914

19201930

1934

1914		C. Holme Lonely Plough (1931) 39: You’ll likely be giving them a look-in.
1922		Joyce Ulysses 595: The Germans and the Japs were going to have their little lookin, he affirmed.
1934		M. Fulcher ‘Believe Me’ in Afro-American (Baltimore, MD) 1 Sept. 12/3: You have to take a look-in on other cities and towns to appreciate your own.

2. a chance, an opportunity, usu. with the implication of ultimate success.

1870

190019502000

2007

1870		Bell’s Life in London 12 Feb. n.p.: If Fawcett imagines he has got a look-in, young Mullins will fight him for all the money he can get together [F&H].
1879		‘’Arry on the River’ in Punch 9 Aug. 57/1: They didn’t get arf a look in ’long o’ me; they’d no form, them two sticks.
1887		‘’Arry on the Jubilee’ in Punch 25 Jun. 305/1: Most heveryone takes up the cry on the horf chance of jest a look in.
1899		C. Rook Hooligan Nights 128: Round four was to be my look in if I wasn’t to go under.
1905		Sporting Times 20 May 5/1: If we can only get a bit of rain and the pitch nice and ‘gummy’ we shall have a ‘look in’.
1912		Ade Knocking the Neighbors 105: A Girl with real Jamaica Ginger coursing through her Arteries did not have a Look-In.
1922		Wodehouse Clicking of Cuthbert 2: Material comforts are all very well, but, [...] the Soul also demands a look in.
1936		(con. 1830s–60s) ‘Miles Franklin’ All That Swagger 321: The lady-helps don’t give me a look-in.
1945		J. Henderson Gunner Inglorious (1974) 134: Stand back, you jokers. Give us a look in.
1955		D. Niland Shiralee 61: They’ll never get a look-in with me again.
1968		P. Barnes Ruling Class I i: Nobody else gets much of a look-in.
2007		R. Milward Apples (2023) 13: Staying up-close and personal so Rachel [...] couldn’t get a look-in.