catch a fleeting glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch a fleeting glimpse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a brief or momentary sighting of something or someone. Example: "As the train sped by, I managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of the beautiful landscape outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Otters are on this river too, but they are no fun: you catch a fleeting glimpse of these elusive carnivores at best.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bring your high-powered binoculars, as we may catch a fleeting glimpse of a rare species, e.g., North Koreans, before they fly home to face the five-year jail sentences that will accompany their inevitable defeat.

The New York Times

As you start to imagine a world where the majority of vehicles are electric and more and more homes, businesses, and factories feature Powerpack-like devices, you catch a fleeting glimpse of the energy system of tomorrow.

Harvard Business Review

And that is why, if you walk past certain public houses on Saracen Street or Maryhill Road at dusk of an evening you may catch a fleeting glimpse of a pair of dark eyes and a vulpine grin belonging to the large chap with the ponytail.

The Guardian - Opinion

And your weekly web show, Cranky Geeks, keeps me looking forward to Wednesdays now, if only to catch a fleeting glimpse of the crankiness that'll undoubtedly ensue.

TechCrunch

Look past the smiles, the exuberance and the sales patter – you may just catch a fleeting glimpse of something that is silently destroying them, eating them away from the inside in a slow, deterministic drift towards destruction.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Less than a month ago, someone on reddit caught a fleeting glimpse of a checkbox that said "Enable Android Apps to run on your Chromebook".

TechCrunch

I caught a fleeting glimpse of a small group heading in for the night.

The New York Times

McIlroy was another who caught a fleeting glimpse of the promised land before it faded away.

The Guardian - Sport

He caught a fleeting glimpse of God in the math here, in the infinitesimal duration of a life.

The New Yorker

The painted steel equipment is well-intentioned but odd, as if the designer had caught a fleeting glimpse of a gym and then worked from memory.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "catch a fleeting glimpse" to vividly describe a situation where something is only seen for a very short time. This adds a sense of mystery or elusiveness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "catch a fleeting glimpse" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your prose sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions with synonyms or alternative phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch a fleeting glimpse" functions as a verb phrase, where "catch" is the main verb, "fleeting" modifies "glimpse", and "glimpse" is the noun. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

15%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "catch a fleeting glimpse" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a brief sighting. While Ludwig confirms its usability, it's important to consider context and avoid overuse. As the examples show, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for varied writing styles. Alternative phrases, such as "get a quick glimpse" or "see momentarily", can provide stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a quick glimpse

Replaces "catch" with "get" and "fleeting" with "quick", emphasizing speed.

catch a brief look

Substitutes "glimpse" with "look" and "fleeting" with "brief", creating a similar meaning.

glimpse momentarily

Uses "glimpse" as a verb and adds "momentarily" for emphasis.

spot briefly

Uses "spot" to indicate seeing and "briefly" to denote a short time.

get a swift view

Uses "swift" to describe the quickness of the view.

witness for a moment

Highlights the act of witnessing something very briefly.

see momentarily

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise verb.

observe in passing

Indicates a casual and brief observation.

notice for a second

Highlights the short duration of the sighting.

perceive for an instant

Emphasizes the suddenness and brevity of perception.

FAQs

How can I use "catch a fleeting glimpse" in a sentence?

You can use "catch a fleeting glimpse" to describe briefly seeing something or someone. For example, "I "caught a fleeting glimpse" of the celebrity as their car drove by."

What can I say instead of "catch a fleeting glimpse"?

You can use alternatives like "get a quick glimpse", "see momentarily", or "spot briefly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "caught a fleeting glimpse"?

Yes, "caught a fleeting glimpse" is the past tense of the phrase and is grammatically correct. For example, "He "caught a fleeting glimpse" of the suspect running away."

What does "fleeting" mean in the phrase "catch a fleeting glimpse"?

In this context, "fleeting" means lasting for a very short time or passing quickly. It emphasizes the briefness of the sighting or observation.