a terrible glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrible glimpse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief and distressing view or insight into something negative or unpleasant. Example: "As she opened the door, she caught a terrible glimpse of the chaos inside the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Harris performs with his usual force and efficiency, allowing us a terrible glimpse at a monster who is also, somewhere behind those cold blue eyes, human.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The architecture that haunts him is a series of images of closures and openings, with death and emptiness pushing in from outside: his 1905 masterpiece White Doors or Open Doors (Strandgade 30) lets you glimpse a terrible nothingness through the rooms of an ordinary home.

The Guardian - Arts

It springs from a glimpse of a terrible era.

The Guardian

I lived in this imagined reality for several years, and I was reluctant to meet other people for fear that I might get a glimpse into a terrible future.

Huffington Post

Below, the shadows of the walls in the water have a terrible solidity - a second, deathly world glimpsed in the water.

The Guardian

In the fourth book, A Feast for Crows, readers are given a glimpse into the queen's past and a terrible prophecy from the witch Maggy the Frog.

Independent

"I've got a terrible temper on me now," he admits in a rare show of candour, offering a glimpse of the darkness behind the looking glass.

The Guardian - Music

✒ For Telegraph TV writer Neil Midgley, each glimpse of Sarah Lund in the latest run of The Killing drags him back to a terrible night of guilt and dread.

The Guardian

What a terrible, terrible, terrible book it is.

The New Yorker

This is a terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible idea.

The Guardian - Arts

What a terrible, terrible song.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a terrible glimpse" to succinctly convey a brief but profoundly negative or disturbing insight. This phrase works well to establish atmosphere and foreshadow impending events.

Common error

Avoid using "a terrible glimpse" excessively, especially in contexts that do not genuinely warrant such strong language. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible glimpse" functions as a noun phrase, where 'terrible' is an adjective modifying the noun 'glimpse'. It acts as a subject or object in a sentence, describing something briefly seen that evokes a sense of dread or horror, as exemplified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible glimpse" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a sudden, negative insight, or a disturbing and brief visual experience. Ludwig AI's analysis highlights its primary function as a noun phrase that paints a vivid, often unpleasant, picture. While the phrase is relatively rare, it finds its strongest usage in news and media contexts, emphasizing its role in conveying impactful, albeit fleeting, moments of realization. Be mindful of overuse to maintain its powerful effect in writing. Alternatives like ""a horrifying peek"" or ""a dreadful sighting"" can offer similar connotations with varying degrees of intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a horrifying peek

Replaces 'glimpse' with 'peek' and 'terrible' with 'horrifying', emphasizing the shocking nature of the view.

a dreadful sighting

Substitutes 'glimpse' with 'sighting' and 'terrible' with 'dreadful', highlighting the unpleasantness of what was seen.

a chilling vision

Replaces 'glimpse' with 'vision' and 'terrible' with 'chilling', focusing on the fear-inducing aspect of the experience.

a frightening flash

Substitutes 'glimpse' with 'flash' and 'terrible' with 'frightening', suggesting a quick but scary insight.

a disturbing view

Replaces 'glimpse' with 'view' and 'terrible' with 'disturbing', underscoring the unsettling nature of what is observed.

a grim revelation

Substitutes 'glimpse' with 'revelation' and 'terrible' with 'grim', focusing on the uncovering of something awful.

a horrifying sight

Replaces "glimpse" with "sight" and "terrible" with "horrifying", emphasizing the visual and shocking nature of what is being seen.

an awful look

Replaces "glimpse" with "look" and "terrible" with "awful", making it a more direct and simpler way of saying something bad was seen.

a ghastly impression

Substitutes 'glimpse' with 'impression' and 'terrible' with 'ghastly', implying something creates a strong, negative mental image.

a shocking preview

Replaces "glimpse" with "preview" and "terrible" with "shocking", which can apply to something that has been seen briefly before the actual event.

FAQs

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

You can use "a terrible glimpse" to describe a brief, disturbing view or insight. For example: "She caught "a terrible glimpse" of the accident scene as she drove by."

What are some alternatives to "a terrible glimpse"?

Some alternatives include "a horrifying peek", "a dreadful sighting", or "a chilling vision", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a terrible glimpse" formal or informal?

"A terrible glimpse" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reporting or descriptive writing. It's less appropriate for casual conversation.

What makes "a terrible glimpse" effective in writing?

The phrase's effectiveness stems from its ability to quickly create a vivid and negative impression in the reader's mind. It implies not just seeing something, but understanding its disturbing nature in an instant.