at one glance

USAGE SUMMARY

"at one glance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to quickly and easily understand something when you first look at it. For example, "At one glance, I could tell that she was upset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Data visualization of many species at one glance is also on the to-do list.

Nature

In the mid-1990s, he pioneered work in "battlefield visualization," trying to approximate through technology what Napoleon could do by dint of genius: arrive on the battlefield and discern at one glance the terrain's tactical advantages.

The Washington Post

The size of the displays is chosen such that passengers are able to recognize important information with respect to the specific service point at one glance.

Transportation Research Procedia

Every word must be understood by the ordinary reader, every sentence must be clear at one glance, and every story must say something about people.

The Guardian - Books

In one, implying that ENA technocrats do not see things very clearly, a young man stops by a herd of sheep and bets the shepherd he can count them at one glance.

The New York Times

To take in miles and miles of the splendid show at one glance, from the comfort of a well-appointed aerie, consider making a reservation for Sunday afternoon tea, offered between noon and 3 p.m. at 42, the restaurant on the 42nd floor of the Ritz-Carlton Westchester.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

— Kenny Irwin Jr. is not one of those brooding, creatively blocked artists, as one glance at his father's backyard confirms.

The New York Times

Please make every attempt humanely possible to take at least one glance.

Vice

Sergio Aguero also has a chequered fitness record at Manchester City but one glance at the strength in depth of both their squad and Chelsea's suggests we should look no further for the champions.

BBC

But the official at Dakar airport took one glance at my green passport and starting smoking out of all his visible orifices.

The New York Times - Travel

One glance at the images on this page makes it easy to see why.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at one glance" to describe situations where information is immediately and easily understood visually. It's effective in contexts where quick comprehension is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "at one glance" when describing situations that require detailed analysis or investigation. This phrase is best suited for scenarios where the information is straightforward and immediately apparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at one glance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the speed and ease of visual comprehension. It describes how quickly someone understands something, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at one glance" is a common and correct adverbial phrase used to describe immediate visual understanding. As Ludwig shows, it appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, use it to highlight the ease and speed of comprehension. Alternatives like "immediately apparent" or "instantly recognizable" can be used for variety. Be sure to avoid using the phrase in situations where analysis requires in-depth investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately apparent

Emphasizes instant visibility and obviousness.

instantly recognizable

Highlights immediate identification upon seeing something.

evident at first sight

Focuses on the clarity and obviousness from the initial visual impression.

plain to see

Simple and direct way to express something being easily understood.

readily discernible

Stresses the ease with which something can be distinguished or recognized.

at a quick look

Suggests a fast observation is sufficient to understand.

at first blush

Implies an initial impression or assessment.

with a brief observation

Highlights that a short examination is enough.

upon initial inspection

Focuses on the initial examination as the key to understanding.

easily noticeable

Emphasizes the characteristic of being easily seen or detected.

FAQs

How can I use "at one glance" in a sentence?

Use "at one glance" to describe things that are immediately obvious or easily understood upon seeing them. For example, "At one glance, I knew something was wrong".

What are some alternatives to "at one glance"?

Alternatives include "immediately apparent", "instantly recognizable", or "evident at first sight", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "with one glance" instead of "at one glance"?

While "with one glance" can convey a similar meaning, "at one glance" is the more common and idiomatic expression.

What's the difference between "at a glance" and "at one glance"?

"At a glance" and "at one glance" are generally interchangeable and mean 'immediately' or 'with a quick look'. Both are correct.