awkward glance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awkward glance" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a brief and uncomfortable look or glance between two people. Example: As I walked into the room, I could feel the tension between my two friends. They exchanged awkward glances and I knew something was wrong.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

She shoots an awkward glance, unleashes The Laugh, and we move on.

The Guardian - Music

Before Kennedy and Blue could respond, he supplied the answer himself: "Volumes are going to go up, right?" Kennedy and Blue exchanged an awkward glance.

The New Yorker

Trott knocks away an awkward glance to the leg side, and the ball just beats the diving fielder to the rope for four.

The Guardian - Sport

As I was doing this, my student made some embarrassed awkward glance away from the screen and said something about everyone getting spam (haha, take that Vice, being dissed by a 15-year-old GIRL).

Vice

5. Who wouldn't want to avoid making that awkward glance to attempt to make out someone's name tag to figure out if he just introduced himself as "Ned," "Ed," or "Ted"? 3. Online networking doesn't require having to remember to stuff your pockets with extra business cards.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

For a minute or so, the video is uneventful: there are expectant half-smiles and awkward glances into the camera.

The New York Times - Magazine

She might be all blushes and awkward glances, but she wants us to understand that this was the real deal.

The Guardian - Music

In truth, it was a lunge, one that resulted in an awkward, glancing contact with May-Bowles's face.

The Guardian

First-day jitters presumably accounted for the hosts' nervous giggles, awkward glances and slips of the tongue – Exelby at one point welcoming us to Queensland rather than Queenscliff.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Most romantic comedies have to either be raunchy or farcical to appeal to a major audience, but the connection between Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson's lost souls finds its expression in awkward glances and subtle gestures rather than loud sex and tearful hysteria.

The Guardian - Film

The story goes that, sitting uneasily in cabinet, she had asked what was being done officially to mark the centenary of the first world war, and was met with awkward glances at the stuccoed ceiling and the blank defence secretary.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awkward glance" to effectively convey a character's discomfort or social unease in a scene. This phrase often indicates underlying tension or unspoken feelings between individuals.

Common error

Avoid overusing "awkward glance" as a substitute for deeper character development. Ensure the glance contributes to the overall narrative rather than being a superficial descriptor. Use it purposefully to reveal something about the characters or the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awkward glance" functions as a noun phrase, where "awkward" modifies the noun "glance". It describes a specific type of look characterized by discomfort or unease. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "awkward glance" is a grammatically sound expression used to depict a fleeting, uncomfortable look. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to communicate feelings of unease, tension, or social awkwardness. While relatively rare, its presence in news and media outlets signifies a neutral register. When employing this expression, ensure it enriches the narrative by adding depth to character interactions and situational contexts. Related phrases such as "uneasy look" or "nervous glimpse", offer nuanced options for expressing similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uneasy look

Focuses on the feeling of unease rather than the specific action of glancing.

uncomfortable gaze

Emphasizes the prolonged nature and discomfort of the look.

shifty-eyed look

Highlights a sense of distrust or nervousness in the glance.

self-conscious peek

Highlights the awareness of oneself and the attempt to avoid attention while looking.

nervous glimpse

Focuses on the brevity and anxiousness of the look.

hesitant stare

Emphasizes the reluctance and uncertain nature of the gaze.

guilty look

Highlights the sense of culpability or wrongdoing associated with the glance.

embarrassed peek

Highlights a sense of shame and the attempt to avoid attention while looking.

sheepish look

Highlights the sense of guilt or shame associated with the look.

strained look

Highlights the visible tension and discomfort in the gaze.

FAQs

How can I use "awkward glance" in a sentence?

You can use "awkward glance" to describe a brief, uncomfortable look exchanged between people. For example, "They shared an awkward glance after the controversial comment".

What can I say instead of "awkward glance"?

You can use alternatives like "uneasy look", "uncomfortable gaze", or "nervous glimpse" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "awkward glance" or "awkward looking"?

"Awkward glance" is correct when describing a brief look. "Awkward looking" typically describes someone's overall appearance.

What's the difference between "awkward glance" and "stolen glance"?

An "awkward glance" suggests discomfort or unease, while a "stolen glance" implies secrecy or surreptitious observation.