catch a peek of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch a peek of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the act of briefly seeing or glancing at something. Example: "I managed to catch a peek of the surprise party decorations before they closed the door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Any fan could visit these spots to catch a peek of the comings and goings of stars like Patrick Ewing or Mark Messier.

The New York Times

Only when we see Boyd, decked out in greasepaint and devilish grin, perform an impromptu soft-shoe shuffle on a bank counter, do we catch a peek of the performer who charmed as easily as he broke the law.

The New York Times

She may tell them the best spot to catch a peek of it, but that's all you can get: a peek.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I caught a peek of it this time".

The New York Times - Sports

I first caught a peek of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in 1994, twenty-four yeafterfter it first aired and seventeen since it was cancelled.

The New Yorker

When you first catch a peek, it seems as though the entire front of the backpack is the opening flap.

TechCrunch

Tens of thousands of people gathered in freezing temperatures to try to catch a peek at the royal couple.

HuffPost

One of us would creep along the hallway and down our winding staircase to catch a peek at the surprises below.

Huffington Post

If you don't account for the time to do some of the typical morning rituals beforehand, you will have to avoid the temptation to catch a peek at the morning news or the latest funny pages.

WikiHow

I could even catch a peek-a-boo glimpse at that '50s motel-style modern of the Japanese Pavilion in the distance.

Los Angeles Times

Check out the Cribs tour to see the hundreds of happy couples that practically serve as eHarmony's wallpaper, catch a sneak peek of founder Dr. Neil Clark Warren (of TV commercial fame) hanging out over lunch with his staffers, and more.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "catch a peek of" when you want to convey the idea of a brief or quick view, often obtained discreetly or unexpectedly. It's suitable for informal contexts and adds a touch of casualness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "catch a peek of" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "observe briefly" or "gain a glimpse of" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch a peek of" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of briefly or quickly seeing something. Ludwig AI indicates that the expression is grammatically correct and usable in written English, as evidenced by examples provided.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catch a peek of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe briefly seeing something, often with an implication of it being quick or discreet. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and examples show its prevalence in news and media. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in highly formal contexts, opting for more sophisticated alternatives. Common related phrases include "glimpse at" and "sneak a peek at". Remember to maintain appropriate register based on your audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch a glimpse of

Similar to the original phrase but uses "glimpse" instead of "peek".

sneak a peek at

Emphasizes the secretive or surreptitious nature of the viewing.

take a peek at

Suggests a deliberate, though brief, look.

glimpse at

Focuses on a quick and brief view.

get a glimpse of

Highlights the act of obtaining a brief view.

have a glimpse of

Focuses on having the opportunity to see something briefly.

get a quick look at

Highlights the speed of the action.

see briefly

A more direct and simple way of expressing a short viewing.

notice briefly

Implies the act of noticing something in a short span of time.

observe momentarily

More formal, highlighting the act of observation within a short time frame.

FAQs

What does "catch a peek of" mean?

It means to briefly or quickly see something, often in a secretive or unexpected way. You might "catch a peek of" someone's surprise party decorations before it starts.

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

You can use alternatives like "glimpse at", "sneak a peek at", or "get a glimpse of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "catch a peek of" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "catch a peek of" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "observe briefly" or "obtain a glimpse of".

How do I use "catch a peek of" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "I managed to "catch a peek of" the new product design before the official announcement".