catch a glimpse of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch a glimpse of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a brief moment in which you were able to see or experience something. For example, "I was walking down the street when I caught a glimpse of a beautiful rainbow in the distance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

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

Occasionally we catch a glimpse of what they are watching.

The New York Times

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

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

I hoped to catch a glimpse of Vallejo, but she was nowhere in sight.

The New York Times - Magazine

Look carefully at the English and you may catch a glimpse of a unique expression.

The New York Times

They were hoping to catch a glimpse of the Bushes that evening.

The Economist

The crowd, craning to catch a glimpse of Hugh Jackman, seemed to be mainly teen-agers.

The New Yorker

Muscovites did not line up to catch a glimpse of the man.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "catch a glimpse of" when you want to emphasize the brief and often unexpected nature of seeing something. It adds a sense of fleetingness to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "catch a glimpse of" when describing prolonged or detailed observations. The phrase implies a brief, often incomplete, view, so it's unsuitable for situations where you have ample time to observe something thoroughly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch a glimpse of" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of seeing something briefly or partially. It emphasizes the fleeting nature of the visual experience. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catch a glimpse of" is a common and correct phrase used to describe the act of seeing something briefly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives exist, such as "get a peek at" or "catch sight of", "catch a glimpse of" emphasizes the fleeting nature of the visual experience. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations involving short or partial views, avoiding its use for prolonged observations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch sight of

Highlights the act of seeing something, but doesn't necessarily imply how long the viewing lasted for.

get a fleeting look at

Combines the idea of obtaining a view with its briefness.

get a peek at

Implies a quick, often surreptitious, look.

glance at

Suggests a quick and casual look.

have a quick look at

Refers to a rapid viewing of something.

see momentarily

Focuses on the brevity of the visual experience.

spot briefly

Highlights the act of noticing something quickly.

notice fleetingly

Emphasizes the transient nature of the observation.

observe for a second

Specifies the short duration of the viewing.

make out briefly

Emphasizes the effort of seeing something not clearly visible.

FAQs

How to use "catch a glimpse of" in a sentence?

Use "catch a glimpse of" to describe briefly seeing something. For instance, "I managed to "catch a glimpse of" the actor as he entered the building."

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

You can use alternatives like "get a peek at", "catch sight of", or "glance at" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "catch a glimpse of" or "grab a glimpse of"?

"Catch a glimpse of" is the more common and idiomatic expression. While "grab a glimpse of" might be understood, it's less frequently used and may sound awkward.

What's the difference between "catch a glimpse of" and "see clearly"?

"Catch a glimpse of" implies a brief, often incomplete view, while "see clearly" suggests a detailed and unobstructed observation. Use "catch a glimpse of" when the viewing is fleeting or partially obscured.