a fleeting vision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fleeting vision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or momentary sight or idea that quickly passes. Example: "As she walked through the forest, she caught a fleeting vision of a deer darting between the trees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Stravinsky claimed he had the idea for the ballet in a "fleeting vision".

Independent

When Romeo has killed Tybalt, he glimpses Juliet, borne like a fleeting vision across the piazza, as if forever sundered from him.

The New York Times - Arts

Its dying hero, a doctor suddenly become a patient in the foul ward for the mad, sees a fleeting vision of deer in a green forest as he dies.

The Guardian - Books

"I want people to see them on their way to and from their cars and catch a glimpse, a fleeting vision of these places they might never have noticed, but which surround them on their motorway journeys".

The Guardian

In "The Wolf's Trail," the story of an old captain on a wolf hunt who has a fleeting vision of his wife being unfaithful, the drama is moving tautly along when the female voices arch upward at the invocation of the young wife, "a lovely rose in full bloom".

The New York Times - Arts

However, in his 1936 autobiography he described the origin of the work thus: "One day [in 1910], when I was finishing the last pages of L'Oiseau de Feu in St Petersburg, I had a fleeting vision .

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The unity government broke the psychological barrier between Hamas and the PLO, and presented the fleeting vision of a unified nation.

Huffington Post

Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony was a quicksilver dance of rhythmic energy; Elgar's Violin Concerto was even better, a single melancholic song that lasted nearly an hour but passed as a fleeting, dreamy vision.

The Guardian - Music

Even if you couldn't discern a plot that linked these fleeting visions of lovers and schemers, clashing armies and spectacular flying warriors, you could admire Mr. Tan's knack for giving each film and scene its own character.

The New York Times - Arts

It was of my mind -- the fleeting visions of bad things, like a face-first fall on a sidewalk, that every few months made me wince.

Huffington Post

Again, I admire your skills Dean but... ..... "As an aerialist — Dean's term — he's creating these fleeting visions of senseless, useless, dangerous, and transcendent wonder," Katie Ives, the editor of Alpinist magazine, told Outside magazine in a definitive profile of Mr. Potter last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fleeting vision" to describe something that appears briefly and then disappears, whether it's a physical sight, a memory, or an idea. It adds a touch of transience and impermanence to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeing" (running away) when you mean "fleeting" (brief or temporary). "A fleeing vision" implies the vision is running away, which is likely not the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fleeting vision" functions as a noun phrase, where "fleeting" modifies the noun "vision." As Ludwig AI explains, it is used to describe a brief or momentary sight or idea that quickly passes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fleeting vision" is a phrase used to describe something that appears briefly and then disappears. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to convey the transience of what is seen or imagined. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral register. While not overly common, it's a useful phrase to add color and depth to your writing, implying the temporary nature of something perceived. When using the term, remember to not confuse it with the word "fleeing."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a momentary glimpse

Emphasizes the brevity and suddenness of the observation.

a transient image

Focuses on the temporary nature of the mental picture.

a brief apparition

Suggests a supernatural or dreamlike quality to the sighting.

a passing fancy

Shifts the context to a temporary interest or desire.

a quick impression

Highlights the speed with which the idea or feeling is formed.

a short-lived reverie

Indicates a brief daydream or state of contemplation.

an ephemeral notion

Emphasizes the fleeting and intangible quality of the thought.

a temporary illusion

Focuses on the deceptive and short-term nature of the perception.

a vanishing prospect

Highlights the disappearing potential or possibility.

a swift impression

Highlights the speed with which the idea or feeling is formed.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fleeting vision" to describe a brief glimpse of something, such as "He caught "a fleeting vision" of her face in the crowd" or to describe a brief idea that quickly disappears, such as "She had "a fleeting vision" of success, but then reality set in".

What's a good synonym for "a fleeting vision"?

Alternatives to "a fleeting vision" include "a momentary glimpse", "a transient image", or "a brief apparition", depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "fleeting" to describe something other than a visual experience?

Yes, "fleeting" can describe any experience or concept that is temporary or brief. For example, you can describe "a fleeting feeling", "a fleeting thought", or "a fleeting moment".

What's the difference between "a fleeting vision" and "a lasting vision"?

"A fleeting vision" is temporary and brief, while "a lasting vision" implies something that stays with you or has a long-term impact. They are near opposites in meaning.