a quick flash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quick flash" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief moment of light or a sudden realization. Example: "As I walked through the dark room, I saw a quick flash of light that startled me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"He's burning alcohol with a quick flash point, a split second of flame.

The New York Times - Food

A quick flash to Obama saying confidently: "The private sector is doing fine".

The Guardian - Opinion

What better excuse for a quick flash of popular culture's 10 most iconic undies moments?

The Guardian - Arts

Entering Cuba from Canada, on the other hand, usually entails just a quick flash of a passport.

The New York Times - Travel

I had never heard of bio-identical hormones – and a quick flash round the internet confused me.

The Guardian - Books

A little later someone spotted another, the minibus lurched again, and we had a quick flash of two more elk bums, one very large, the other small.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

To trigger reconsolidation, one-third of the subjects got a reminder--a quick flash of the blue square--10 minutes before extinction training.

Science Magazine

The lighthouse had two lights; the lower a fixed white light and the upper a quick flashing white light, showing every 60 seconds.

Wikipedia

A quick-flash, full-stop smile fences off further conversation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Second, about the longevity of flash drives: "Just a quick comment: Flash drives can handle a limited number of writes per cell, typically between 100,000 and 1,000,000 cycles.

The New York Times - Tech

This week, on a chilly night when I was overtired, I felt a momentary flash of hopelessness, and wondered, as I so often do, whether I was slipping; for a petrifying instant, a lightning-quick flash, I wanted a car to run me over, and I had to clench my teeth to stay on the sidewalk until the light turned green.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a quick flash" to describe a brief moment of insight, consider adding sensory details to enhance the impact, such as, "a quick flash of understanding illuminated her face".

Common error

Avoid using "a quick flash" when describing something that requires sustained attention or effort. This phrase is best suited for fleeting events or insights.

Linguistic Context

A quick flash primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "quick" modifies the noun "flash". This construction is commonly used to describe something that happens suddenly and briefly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically sound usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase “a quick flash” is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something sudden and brief. Ludwig examples highlight its versatility across contexts, particularly in News & Media. It's important to use this phrase when describing fleeting moments or insights, avoiding situations requiring sustained attention. Consider alternatives such as "a brief glimpse" or "a sudden spark" for nuanced meaning. Remember, while the phrase is versatile, context is key to its effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rapid flash

Emphasizes the speed of the flash.

a brief glimpse

Focuses on the visual aspect, implying a short look.

a split-second view

Emphasizes the extremely short duration of the view.

a momentary glimpse

Combines brevity and visual perception.

a sudden spark

Emphasizes a sudden burst of something, like an idea or emotion.

a swift glance

Implies speed and a quick look.

a fast glimpse

Highlights the rapidity of the visual experience.

a passing image

Focuses on the image and its transience.

an instant's view

Highlights the very short duration of the view.

a fleeting moment

Highlights the transient nature of the experience.

FAQs

How can I use "a quick flash" in a sentence?

You can use "a quick flash" to describe something that happens suddenly or briefly, like "I saw a quick flash of lightning" or "He had a quick flash of inspiration".

What are some alternatives to "a quick flash"?

You can use alternatives like "a brief glimpse", "a sudden spark", or "a fleeting moment" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a flash quick" instead of "a quick flash"?

No, the correct order is "a quick flash". Adjectives typically precede the noun they modify in English.

What's the difference between "a quick flash" and "a short burst"?

"A quick flash" often implies a visual or sudden, brief occurrence, while "a short burst" suggests a sudden release of energy or activity.