a quick peek

USAGE SUMMARY

"a quick peek" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe when someone glances at something quickly. For example: "She took a quick peek at the painting before deciding whether to buy it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I can't resist having a quick peek.

The Guardian

Here's a quick peek at some of our newest features.

The New Yorker

They take a quick peek, find it empty and walk away.

The New York Times

Poll workers, incoming voters or anyone else wandering by could have a quick peek.

The New York Times

And a quick peek into the basement reveals just how deep that allegiance runs.

The New York Times

We take a quick peek at the nests, then move on".

The New York Times

But the Labour leadership election keeps pulling us in for a quick peek.

The Guardian

One woman pulls up her shirt to offer a quick peek at her right breast.

The New York Times - Arts

Taking a look over his shoulder, Nozell gives me a nudge and says: "A quick peek.

The Guardian - Music

"I just took a quick peek," she admitted with a guilty face.

The Guardian - Sport

A quick peek at caller ID, and every light in my universe began flickering.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quick peek" to indicate a brief and often surreptitious look, especially when you don't want to draw attention or take too much time. For example, "I took a quick peek at the document to confirm the details."

Common error

While "a quick peek" is widely understood, it can sound too casual for formal writing. In such cases, consider more professional alternatives like "a brief review" or "a cursory examination".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "a quick peek" is as a noun phrase functioning as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a brief, often surreptitious, look at something. Ludwig examples show usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick peek" is a commonly used phrase to describe taking a brief look at something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for a range of contexts, particularly in news and media. However, it's important to note that it might be too informal for academic or formal business writing, where alternatives like "a brief review" or "a cursory examination" may be more suitable. When deciding whether to use "a quick peek", consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief look

This alternative is more general, replacing "peek" with the broader term "look" to describe the action of seeing something.

a fleeting glance

This alternative emphasizes the brevity of the look, using "fleeting" to highlight how quickly the action occurs.

a swift glimpse

This alternative stresses the speed of the observation, using "swift" to convey the action's rapidity.

a fast look

This alternative is a more informal way to describe a quick look, using "fast" as a direct synonym for quick.

a casual glance

This alternative suggests a lack of intent or purpose in the look, using "casual" to show it's not a thorough inspection.

a momentary look

This alternative focuses on the short duration of the action, using "momentary" to highlight its brief nature.

a short view

This alternative is more literal, replacing "peek" with "view" to emphasize the act of seeing for a short time.

a passing look

This alternative suggests the look occurs while moving or passing by, indicating it's not a focused observation.

a cursory observation

This alternative is more formal, implying a superficial examination rather than a deep investigation.

a superficial inspection

This alternative is the most formal, denoting a surface-level examination without delving into details.

FAQs

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

You can use "a quick peek" to describe glancing at something briefly. For instance, "I took "a quick peek" at the news before starting work".

What can I say instead of "a quick peek"?

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

Is "a quick peek" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "a quick peek" may be too informal for professional or academic contexts. Consider alternatives like "a brief review" or "a cursory examination" in formal situations.

What's the difference between "a quick peek" and "a quick look"?

"A quick peek" implies a more secretive or furtive glance, while "a quick look" is a more neutral and general term for a brief observation.