at a glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a glimpse" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "at a glance," which is used to indicate a quick or brief look at something. Example: "At a glance, the report seemed well-organized, but I needed to read it more thoroughly to understand the details."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

More than triumph, more than justice, the picture captured, at a glimpse, a couple in love.

The New York Times - Magazine

At a glimpse of it, we exclaim, like Caroline, "it's grotesque... it's filthy".

The Guardian - Books

There seemed to be a case of arrested development as infantile male drivers apparently veered across the road at a glimpse of the Wonderbra ad.

The New York Times

At a glimpse of a face he would cry, "Any news today?", so that "Mr Any News" became his nickname with the guards.Every year he was invited to make peace with the regime.

The Economist

So, for instance, when, in an early story, Bertie relates how Jeeves — that totem of imperturbability — came undone at a glimpse of Bertie's pal Bingo disguised behind a false beard ("I saw the man's jaw drop, and he clutched at the table for support"), we tut-tut.

The New Yorker

Word of a sighting spreads quickly the ship will often stop to give people a better chance at a glimpse of the silver shimmer of wet skin as it arches through the surface.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The cam hasn't shown much activity of late--a glimpse at 7 a.m.

Huffington Post

Sessions probably will give at least a glimpse of his plans regarding the program at his confirmation hearing Tuesday.

The Washington Post

At last, a glimpse of quality from the hosts.

The Guardian - Sport

PRINCETON Historical Society of Princeton "Einstein at Home," a glimpse of the personal side of the scientist.

The New York Times

This disappoints restaurant patrons hoping for at least a glimpse of the handsome, flirtatious celebrity chef.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a glance" instead of "at a glimpse" for correct and idiomatic English. "At a glance" conveys the intended meaning of perceiving something quickly and easily.

Common error

Avoid using "at a glimpse" as it's not standard English. Remember that a 'glimpse' is a noun (a quick look), while a 'glance' can function as both a noun and a verb, making "at a glance" the correct idiomatic form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a glimpse" functions as a prepositional phrase, though it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig identifies the correct form as "at a glance", which modifies a verb or clause to indicate the speed or ease of perception.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at a glimpse" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The correct and commonly accepted phrase is "at a glance", which effectively conveys the meaning of perceiving something quickly. Be sure to substitute "at a glance" for "at a glimpse" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing. Although similar alternatives exist, they may slightly differ in meaning, for example, "with a quick look".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a glance

Indicates an immediate and comprehensive understanding or viewing.

with a quick look

Emphasizes the speed and brevity of the observation.

at first sight

Suggests an immediate impression or reaction upon seeing something for the first time.

in a flash

Implies an instantaneous perception or event.

in an instant

Similar to 'in a flash', but may also refer to a brief period.

upon a quick view

Formal alternative, highlighting the act of viewing rapidly.

with a brief observation

Stresses the conciseness of the viewing process.

after a cursory inspection

Implies a superficial and hasty examination.

on brief examination

A more formal alternative for a quick check.

with a fleeting look

Highlights the transient and brief nature of the visual experience.

FAQs

Is "at a glimpse" grammatically correct?

No, "at a glimpse" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct phrase is "at a glance".

What does "at a glance" mean?

"At a glance" means with a quick or brief look. It suggests understanding something almost immediately upon seeing it.

When should I use "at a glance"?

Use "at a glance" when you want to indicate that something is easily understood or visible with a quick look. For example, "At a glance, the problem seemed simple".

Are there any alternatives to "at a glance"?

Yes, alternatives include "with a quick look", "immediately", or "instantly", depending on the specific context.