blink of light

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blink of light" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a brief moment in which something appears, or to refer to a momentary glimpse of something. For example, "She saw a blink of light in the night sky, and knew it was a meteor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She looked like a statuette: blond pixie cut, floor-length gold sequinned gown, her small figure catching every blink of light in Roy Thomson Hall.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Then it streaks across the middle distance in a small part of a second, really just a blink of lights, and whines away.

The New Yorker

Today, activity is signalled by the silent blinking of light-emitting diodes.

The New Yorker

Now it is miles of cabling, the blinking of lights on servers, and a trader's bright-blue jacket hanging in a glass case in a data centre in Essex.

The Economist

His 1966 film "The Flicker" consisted only of rapidly, randomly blinking patterns of light.

The New York Times - Arts

Do a web search and a million different computers look at a million parts of the web before the results are collated in the blink of an LED light.

BBC

They invoke the anxious thrills of an adolescent in a darkened room, illuminated with the blinking of multicolored lights, each machine the center of a group's attention, each group focusing on the fate of a gleaming ball going almost too fast to track, as it teases and taunts or promptly sweeps downward to its death, daring you to try again with another coin.

The New York Times - Arts

Light and audio bounce off the surfaces and ricochet amongst the pillons to create dancing silhouettes and pools of light, along with blink-and-you-miss-it forms.

Vice

My week has never been thrown into chaos by the sudden blinking of a warning light on the dashboard, followed by the apologetic cough of a failing starter motor.

The Guardian - Travel

According to Sony, some of the problems associated with the blinking of the blue light could include no audio or video output to the TV and the console powering off.

BBC

These few hours like the blink of a great eye — just enough light to check that the world is still there, before shutting back down.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "blink of light" to create a sense of mystery or sudden revelation in your writing. For example, "In a sudden "blink of light", the answer came to her."

Common error

Avoid using "blink of light" to describe a prolonged period of illumination. The phrase implies a very short, almost instantaneous flash.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blink of light" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a brief visual phenomenon. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides real-world examples for context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "blink of light" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that describes a brief, almost instantaneous flash of light. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. While "blink of light" is relatively uncommon, the provided examples highlight its descriptive function, often appearing in literary or journalistic contexts. Related phrases, such as "glimmer of light" or "flash of light", offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings. When using "blink of light", it's important to emphasize its brevity and avoid using it to describe prolonged periods of illumination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

glimmer of light

Focuses on a faint or wavering light, suggesting a less intense flash.

flash of light

Emphasizes the sudden and brief nature of the light's appearance.

fleeting light

Highlights the transient and quickly disappearing nature of the light.

momentary gleam

Replaces "blink" with "momentary" and "light" with "gleam" emphasizing a brief shine.

transient illumination

Uses more formal language to describe a short-lived burst of light.

quick flash

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the speed and brevity of the light.

short burst of light

Replaces "blink" with "short burst" to focus on the suddenness.

brief sparkle

Uses "sparkle" to suggest a shimmering quality to the light.

passing gleam

Similar to fleeting light, but with "gleam" suggesting reflected light.

fleeting shimmer

Emphasizes a faint, wavering light that quickly disappears.

FAQs

How can I use "blink of light" in a sentence?

You can use "blink of light" to describe a brief, momentary flash or glimpse of light, such as "She saw a "blink of light" in the distance before the power went out".

What phrases are similar to "blink of light"?

Alternatives to "blink of light" include "glimmer of light", "flash of light", or "fleeting light", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "blink of light" in formal writing?

While "blink of light" is grammatically correct, it may be more suitable for creative or descriptive writing than highly formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "momentary illumination" for a more formal tone.

What does "blink of light" typically refer to?

"Blink of light" generally refers to a very short, almost imperceptible flash of light, not a sustained or continuous source of light.