a passing glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passing glimpse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or fleeting look at something, often implying that the observation was not thorough or detailed. Example: "As I walked by the gallery, I caught a passing glimpse of the stunning artwork displayed in the window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Essentially, waiting on a New York sidewalk for nearly three hours to catch a passing glimpse of the Popemobile.

The New Yorker

The many human faces to the tragedy provided a passing glimpse into a genuine ethical response mobilised by grief.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps it has happened to you: catching a passing glimpse of somebody familiar and yet changed from the way you fondly knew him or her years ago.

The New York Times

Occasionally, when I am already on a trip, I have a passing glimpse of a destination that calls to me so seductively I know I must answer.

The New York Times - Travel

The best sketches are ones that imagine a whole universe into which the sketch is merely a passing glimpse, and Ministry of Silly Walks does this neatly.

The Guardian

While I was in Perm, I caught only a passing glimpse, through rehearsals and videotapes, of Panfilov's choreographic style and could render no informed judgment about his importance.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

If not for the passing glimpse of a Roman wall, remnant arches of an aqueduct in a distant field, Mallon could have thought himself back in Ohio.

The New Yorker

He was, among his other talents, a terrific picker of extras, and as Ricki performs in bars, or at family gatherings, he dishes up, in passing glimpses, a fine assortment of his fellow-citizens.

The New Yorker

En route we were shown rock formations that (sort of) resemble a dog, an Egyptian mummy and King Kong, caught passing glimpses of flying fish, a stray turtle and several javelin-shaped barracuda.

The Guardian - Travel

With its clouds of sweetly voiced chords and its passing glimpses at the ghosts of Barber and Vaughan Williams, the score is an interesting mixture of the familiar and the exotic, and Mr. Oue and his players gave it a stunning reading.

The New York Times

The format also affords passing glimpses into Kennedy's views on issues such as the space race ("a hell of a lot of dough to go to the moon," he griped) and getting out of South-East Asia ("my number one priority").The book's core argument that Kennedy came into his own during his final 100 days is not entirely persuasive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a passing glimpse" when you want to convey the idea that something was seen only briefly and perhaps not fully understood. For instance, describe "a passing glimpse" of a landscape from a moving train or "a passing glimpse" of someone's personality.

Common error

Avoid using "a passing glimpse" when you actually mean a thorough observation. This phrase suggests brevity, so ensure it aligns with the context of a quick, fleeting look rather than a comprehensive inspection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passing glimpse" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb like 'catch' or 'get', indicating a brief or incomplete visual experience. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Books

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a passing glimpse" refers to a brief and often superficial look at something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. When writing, use "a passing glimpse" to indicate an observation that is quick and not thorough. Be mindful not to misuse it when describing a detailed observation. Alternatives such as "a fleeting glance" or "a brief peek" can be used for similar effect, maintaining nuance and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fleeting glance

Emphasizes the brevity and quickness of the look.

a brief peek

Suggests a quick and often furtive look.

a quick look

A simple and direct way to express a short observation.

a hasty view

Indicates a quick and possibly superficial observation.

a snatched sight

Highlights the sudden and perhaps unexpected nature of the view.

a momentary impression

Focuses on the brief and subjective experience of seeing something.

a fleeting vision

Suggests something ephemeral and dreamlike.

a transient view

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the sighting.

a partial sighting

Indicates that only a portion of something was seen.

a superficial observation

Emphasizes the lack of depth in the observation.

FAQs

How can I use "a passing glimpse" in a sentence?

You can use "a passing glimpse" to describe a brief or fleeting look at something. For example: "I caught "a passing glimpse" of the mountains as the train sped through the valley."

What can I say instead of "a passing glimpse"?

You can use alternatives like "a fleeting glance", "a brief peek", or "a quick look" depending on the context.

Is "a passing glimpse" formal or informal?

"A passing glimpse" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The key is to ensure that the level of vocabulary surrounding the phrase is appropriate for the setting.

What does "a passing glimpse" imply about the observation?

"A passing glimpse" implies that the observation was not thorough or detailed, suggesting a brief and perhaps incomplete view.