a brief vacation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief vacation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a short period of time taken off from work or daily activities for relaxation or travel. Example: "After a long year of hard work, I decided to take a brief vacation to recharge my batteries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

IS taking a brief vacation from spousal judgment a sign of marital decay?

The New York Times

After the initial celebration in Jerusalem, Natan and Avital went to the Galilee for a brief vacation.

The New Yorker

They flew to Amsterdam, and Dimitri rented a bungalow at a Dutch campsite, where they enjoyed a brief vacation.

The New Yorker

The Blair Grocery farmers had departed for New Orleans, and Jakubowski was in New York, on a brief vacation.

The New Yorker

As I write this, I'm about to travel to beautiful, sunny Puerto Rico for a brief vacation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Stone Davidoff, who lived in New York City, had gone to Tucson on a brief vacation, he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

We're sold— at least for a brief holiday vacation— but there's just one problem: we're not yet sure how to get there.

Vice

Mr. Swarup, during a brief Hong Kong vacation, was staying at the home of the Indian consul general, a longtime friend from the foreign service.

The New York Times - Arts

One story in "Sum," for example, considers the possibility that life on earth may be just a brief, pleasurable vacation from our true existence as gigantic beings doing the heavy lifting of holding up the cosmos.

The New York Times - Books

Le Genou de Claire, for instance, ­perhaps the most accomplished of the six films, is about a French diplomat, on the brink of both middle age and ­marriage, enjoying a brief lakeside vacation at Lake Annecy in France.

The Guardian - Film

Then gradually, I realized that this was exactly where Howie and I had been stuck in traffic almost 11 months before as we fled the airport on the bright September morning on which we'd been scheduled to fly to San Francisco for a brief working vacation.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning your content, use "a brief vacation" to signal a short period of rest and relaxation, especially when contrasting it with longer periods of work or stress. For instance, "After months of intense work, a brief vacation is essential for burnout prevention."

Common error

Avoid using "a brief vacation" to describe extended periods. It's best suited for getaways lasting a few days or a week at most. Using it for longer durations can mislead your audience and weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief vacation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. It describes a short period of time dedicated to leisure and rest. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Science

16%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a brief vacation" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a short period of rest and relaxation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "a quick getaway" or "a short break" exist, "a brief vacation" is suitable for both formal and informal communication. To ensure clear and accurate writing, use it to describe vacations lasting a few days or a week, avoiding overstatements of the duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short holiday

Replaces "vacation" with "holiday", which is more common in British English.

a quick getaway

Focuses on the aspect of escaping for a short period.

a quick trip

Highlights the speed and brevity of the vacation.

a short break

Emphasizes the interruption of routine.

a mini-vacation

Highlights the small scale of the vacation.

a weekend trip

Specifies the duration of the vacation.

a short sojourn

Uses a more formal word for a temporary stay.

a short leave

Emphasizes a temporary absence, particularly from work or duty.

a fleeting respite

Emphasizes the temporary relief from stress.

a short excursion

Focuses on the aspect of a journey or trip.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a brief vacation"?

You can use alternatives like "a short holiday", "a quick getaway", or "a short break" depending on the context.

How can I use "a brief vacation" in a sentence?

You might say, "She took "a brief vacation" to the coast to escape the city heat" or "The team earned "a brief vacation" after successfully completing the project".

What is the difference between "a brief vacation" and "a sabbatical"?

"A brief vacation" is a short period of rest, while a sabbatical is a longer period, often granted for study or travel.

Is it appropriate to use "a brief vacation" in formal writing?

Yes, "a brief vacation" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might consider using "a short leave".