catch a glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

"catch a glimpse" is an appropriate and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is an idiom that means to briefly see something before it is gone. Example: When I passed by the storefront, I managed to catch a glimpse of the new dress collection in the window.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What better time to catch a glimpse of Ms. Driscoll?

The New York Times

It will be some time before zookeepers catch a glimpse.

The New York Times

Fathers propped daughters on their shoulders to catch a glimpse.

The New Yorker

But it did catch a glimpse of something else.

The New York Times - Science

Occasionally I would catch a glimpse of these specimens.

The New York Times - Style

Occasionally, you can catch a glimpse of this possible future.

The New Yorker

Occasionally we catch a glimpse of what they are watching.

The New York Times

But a few students sneaked in to catch a glimpse.

The New York Times - Sports

You catch a glimpse, and you say God!

The Guardian - Opinion

Even with binoculars we couldn't catch a glimpse of her.

The Guardian

Excited, I sped up, thinking I'd finally catch a glimpse of these two.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "catch a glimpse" to describe a brief, often unintentional, sighting of something. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the fleeting nature of the view.

Common error

Avoid using "catch a glimpse" when describing a sustained or detailed observation. The phrase implies a momentary and incomplete view, not a thorough examination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch a glimpse" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of briefly or partially seeing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common idiomatic expression. The examples show its use in describing fleeting visual experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

91%

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catch a glimpse" is a common idiomatic verb phrase used to describe briefly seeing something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate in written English and commonly used. It is widely used in the News & Media context. This phrase is best used to describe quick, often unintentional, sightings and should be avoided when describing prolonged observations. Related phrases include "glimpse" and "catch sight of". Remember to use it to emphasize the fleeting nature of a view.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

glimpse

Shorter, synonymous verb form of the phrase.

catch sight of

Indicates a chance or unplanned visual encounter.

get a peek

Focuses on obtaining a quick, often unauthorized, look.

get a quick look

Stresses the speed and brevity of the visual impression.

see briefly

Emphasizes the short duration of the visual experience.

spot momentarily

Highlights the fleeting nature of the sighting.

obtain a fleeting view

Emphasizes the transient and insubstantial nature of the view.

have a brief sighting

Highlights the act of seeing something for a short time.

perceive for an instant

Focuses on the momentary perception of something.

notice momentarily

Underlines the quick noticing of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "catch a glimpse" to describe briefly seeing something, often unexpectedly. For example, "I managed to catch a glimpse of the celebrity as she entered the building."

What's a synonym for "catch a glimpse"?

Synonyms for "catch a glimpse" include "glimpse", "catch sight of", or "get a peek". These all suggest a brief or fleeting view.

Is it appropriate to use "catch a glimpse" in formal writing?

Yes, "catch a glimpse" is suitable for both formal and informal writing contexts. It is a common idiom that is widely understood and accepted.

What is the difference between "catch a glimpse" and "stare"?

"Catch a glimpse" implies a brief, often unintentional view, while "stare" suggests a prolonged and focused gaze. They are not interchangeable, as they describe different types of visual engagement.