a blip of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a blip of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small, temporary change or occurrence, often in a context where something is being measured or observed. Example: "The stock market experienced a blip of activity before settling back to its usual pace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Technology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

This one was a blip of misjudgment.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is a blip of light on a dark canvas.

The New York Times

It was such a random, lurid, unsubstantiated slur that it felt like a blip of derangement.

The New Yorker

A blip of success at the end of the 1990s quickly faded.

The New York Times - Sports

"It has been said," she retorts with a blip of a grin.

The New York Times

But no one paid much attention until a blip of domestic news crawled across.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

A tiny blip of a change in an admittedly uncertain statistic shouldn't have such an impact on the national narrative, right?

The New York Times - Magazine

These are members of the Green Fuz, a Bridgeport, Texas, band that made not even a blip outside of a small regional following in its '60s heyday.

Los Angeles Times

If a monopole passes through, it induces a distinct blip of current in the wire, which can be easily detected.

Science Magazine

If you record a silent ringtone, there might be a small blip of static sound at the beginning.

WikiHow

Sicilian merlot may have earned a momentary blip of attention, but it was not a long-term path to prosperity.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a blip of" to downplay the significance of a temporary change or event, especially when contrasting it with a larger trend or situation. For example, "Despite the overall decline, there was "a blip of" growth in the last quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "a blip of" when describing genuinely significant or impactful events. This phrase is best suited for minor deviations that do not alter the overall context or trend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blip of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, typically an abstract noun, to indicate a small, brief, and often insignificant amount or occurrence. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is used to describe something that deviates slightly from the norm, as seen in the examples from the search results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blip of" is a versatile phrase used to minimize the significance of a temporary change or occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. The phrase is best used to describe minor deviations that do not fundamentally alter the overall trend or situation. While "a blip of" is considered neutral in register, users should be mindful of potentially overstating or understating its impact. Consider related phrases like "a moment of" or "a trace of" for subtle variations in meaning. Avoid using "a blip of" when describing genuinely significant or impactful events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a moment of

Emphasizes the brief duration of the occurrence.

a trace of

Highlights the minimal amount or presence of something.

a hint of

Suggests a subtle or indirect indication.

a fleeting glimpse of

Conveys a very brief and often superficial observation.

a touch of

Implies a slight or delicate addition or influence.

a dash of

Similar to "a touch of", but often used for tangible additions.

a shade of

Indicates a subtle variation or degree of something.

a flicker of

Highlights the brief and unsteady nature of the occurrence.

a glimmer of

Suggests a faint or weak sign of something.

a scintilla of

Emphasizes the extremely small amount or degree.

FAQs

How can I use "a blip of" in a sentence?

You can use "a blip of" to describe a small, temporary change or occurrence, often in a context where something is being measured or observed. For example, "The company experienced "a blip of" increased sales during the holiday season."

What can I say instead of "a blip of"?

You can use alternatives like "a moment of", "a trace of", or "a hint of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a blip of" or "a blip in"?

"A blip of" generally refers to a small quantity or occurrence, whereas "a blip in" usually refers to a temporary deviation within a larger trend or dataset.

What's the difference between "a blip of" and "a period of"?

"A blip of" suggests a very short and insignificant occurrence, while "a period of" implies a more extended duration and potentially greater significance.