a quick glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

"a quick glimpse" is a perfectly correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a relatively brief and fleeting look at something. For example, "I had a quick glimpse of the mountain before the clouds obscured my view."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A quick glimpse at the statistics tells us why.

Independent

To start, a quick glimpse of life beyond metropolitan groupthink.

The Guardian - Opinion

Foreign reporters were hustled in for a quick glimpse.

The New York Times - Arts

But Federer is allowed nothing more than a quick glimpse.

The Guardian - Sport

In a quick glimpse over his shoulder his writing is just legible.

The New Yorker

A quick glimpse at my results gives an accurate description of my life.

The New York Times

The kitchen, which is a cramped, shambolic affair, judging from a quick glimpse, is also adept with the tandoor oven.

The New York Times

Here's a video by Brooklyn Brewery to promote the mash, which features a quick glimpse of the borough's food scene.

The New York Times

No waiting in line, behind a thick crowd, for a quick glimpse of Catherine the Great's coronation dress.

The New York Times - Travel

A quick glimpse revealed that the foreign city in which I have the most friends of friends is Paris.

The New York Times - Travel

I took a quick glimpse at the road's steeply rising shoulder and the boulder at its top.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quick glimpse" when you want to convey a brief and often incomplete observation. It's suitable for describing moments when attention is not fully focused or time is limited.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid relying heavily on "a quick glimpse" in formal writing where more precise and descriptive terms may be necessary for clarity and impact. Opt for alternatives like "a brief overview" or "a concise examination" in professional or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick glimpse" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb, describing the act of briefly observing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, such as "catch a quick glimpse" or "get a quick glimpse."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick glimpse" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase to describe a brief and often incomplete observation. As validated by Ludwig AI, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, though primarily found in News & Media sources. When writing, remember that while it's generally neutral, more precise language might be preferable in formal academic papers. Alternatives such as ""a brief look"" or ""a fleeting glance"" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief look

Replaces 'glimpse' with 'look', offering a slightly more general term for a short observation.

a fleeting glance

Emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the look, using more descriptive language.

a cursory view

Highlights the superficial nature of the observation, suggesting it's not thorough.

a swift peek

Implies a quick and sometimes secretive look.

a passing look

Suggests the look was brief and while moving or passing by.

a short view

A more straightforward alternative, focusing on the limited duration of the view.

a fast look

Uses simpler language to convey the speed of the observation.

a rapid survey

Implies a quick, comprehensive look at a larger area or subject.

a snapshot

Uses a metaphor to suggest a brief, captured moment.

a bird's-eye view

Suggests a quick and comprehensive look from a high vantage point.

FAQs

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

You can use "a quick glimpse" to describe seeing something briefly. For example, "I caught a quick glimpse of the mountains before the fog rolled in."

What are some alternatives to "a quick glimpse"?

Alternatives include "a brief look", "a fleeting glance", or "a cursory view", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a quick glimpse" formal or informal?

"A quick glimpse" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and neutral contexts, but it is less common in academic papers where "a brief overview" might be more appropriate.

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

"A quick glimpse" implies that the observation was brief, possibly incomplete, and without detailed attention. It suggests a fleeting or cursory look.