a fleeting glance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fleeting glance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quick or brief look at something or someone. Example: "As she walked by, he caught a fleeting glance of her smile that lingered in his mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

I exchanged a fleeting glance with my colleague.

The New Yorker

I got such a fleeting glance as we sped past that I wondered if I had imagined it.

The Guardian - Travel

Instead, it allowed him a "fleeting glance" of a one-page summary of the evidence, the court heard on Monday.

The Guardian

On a fleeting glance this presents a plot simple enough to fill the pages of one of Frank Lampard's planned children's novels.

Independent

Clive, in Harrison mode, does not have the heart to pass up, as he says about an ex-girlfriend, now 60, "a fleeting glance at her admirable bottom".

The New York Times - Books

Dawn broke after what seemed like a few minutes, and I caught a fleeting glance of Amber tip-toeing out of the room.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

If you ever wanted to get a glance of what goes on just off the stage during a Stones show, you get a few fleeting glances here.

Forbes

She was probably about twenty-five, had long fair hair in a ponytail, it seemed to tauten her face and, along with her small straight lips, gave her a stern appearance, which the fleeting glance she sent me — where I sensed a good deal of skepticism — reinforced.

The New Yorker

ARNOLD TOYNBEE To be content with life — or to live merrily, rather — all that is required is that we bestow on all things only a fleeting, superficial glance; the more thoughtful we become the more earnest we grow.

Forbes

During this pas de deux, however, she takes one fleeting glance into his eyes, and then another, and each is a punctuation mark that perfectly illustrates the gradual progress of what her dancing has already demonstrated.

The New York Times - Arts

Plenty of films excel at portraying a city in a particular time, on a particular night, but few are deft enough, like Wings of Desire, to go beyond: to ghost through the streets, peer through the windows, catch the fleeting glances and take a metaphysical sounding of a place.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fleeting glance" to describe something seen only for a very short time, often implying it wasn't fully observed or understood. For example: "He caught a fleeting glance of the suspect before they disappeared into the crowd."

Common error

Avoid using "a fleeting glance" when describing something that was observed for a prolonged period or with careful attention. Instead, use phrases like "careful observation" or "detailed inspection".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fleeting glance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "caught a fleeting glance"). As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fleeting glance" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a quick or brief look, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, functioning as a noun phrase that emphasizes the brevity of an observation. While versatile, it should not be used to describe prolonged or detailed observations. Alternatives such as "a quick look" or "a brief glimpse" can be considered for nuanced variations in meaning. Remember, this phrase is best used when you want to convey that something was seen only briefly and perhaps not fully understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quick look

Emphasizes the speed and brevity of the observation.

a brief glimpse

Highlights the short duration and incomplete nature of the view.

a passing glimpse

Suggests the observation occurred while moving or in transit.

a hasty look

Implies the observation was done quickly, possibly due to time constraints or lack of interest.

a swift peek

Indicates a very quick and often surreptitious look.

a cursory observation

Suggests a superficial and not very thorough examination.

a momentary view

Focuses on the extremely short duration of the visual experience.

a passing view

The view occurred while moving or in transit.

a quick survey

Emphasizes the overview and scanning nature of the look.

a rapid scan

Highlights the speed and systematic nature of the visual inspection.

FAQs

How can I use "a fleeting glance" in a sentence?

Use "a fleeting glance" to describe a brief or quick look at something. For example: "I only caught "a fleeting glance" of the car as it sped past."

What's a similar phrase to "a fleeting glance"?

Alternatives include "a quick look", "a brief glimpse", or "a passing glimpse". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a fleeting glance" in formal writing?

Yes, "a fleeting glance" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone and context of the piece rather than the level of formality.

What does "a fleeting glance" imply about the observation?

It implies that the observation was brief, possibly incomplete, and perhaps not fully understood due to the short duration. It suggests a quick, often unintentional, look.