flash of insight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flash of insight" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a moment of sudden understanding or discovery. For example, "After hours of struggling to solve the problem, he finally had a flash of insight and knew how to proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's a lovely flash of insight.

The New York Times

To be fair, there is the odd flash of insight.

The Guardian - Opinion

Where did that flash of insight come from?

The New Yorker

And at that moment my flash of insight came, freezing the smile on my face.

The New Yorker

In a flash of insight, the BBC snapped it up before it was hot.

The Guardian

That was when I had my flash of insight into the future of love.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

But Thomson's pellucid writing and flashes of insight make his memories unpredictable and rewarding.

The New York Times - Books

As the doomed, incestuous young heroine, Lydia Wilson offers some lightning flashes of insight (1 55).

The New York Times

Acts of kindness and flashes of insight resolve most of her characters' troubles; serendipity takes care of the rest.

The New York Times - Books

But each is also allowed a full helping of humanity, a fair hearing and the occasional flashes of insight.

The New York Times - Books

An aged man is a babe-in-arms; his childhood is still quick within him and he remains capable of flashes of insight, quirks of impulse.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flash of insight" to describe a sudden, often unexpected, understanding or realization. It's appropriate when the understanding significantly shifts perspective or solves a problem.

Common error

Avoid using "flash of insight" to describe a slow, gradual process of understanding. This phrase emphasizes the suddenness of the realization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flash of insight" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a sudden, often unexpected, instance of understanding or discovery. Examples on Ludwig show its role in expressing moments of clarity and problem-solving.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flash of insight" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a sudden moment of understanding or realization. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various domains, particularly in News & Media and Science. It denotes a moment of clarity, problem-solving, or a shift in perspective. While there are several related phrases, such as "sudden realization" or "epiphany", each carries slightly different nuances. When using "flash of insight", it's crucial to ensure that it accurately reflects a sudden understanding rather than a gradual process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moment of clarity

Emphasizes the clearness and understanding gained.

eureka moment

Refers to a triumphant discovery or understanding.

sudden realization

Focuses on the act of realizing something quickly.

lightbulb moment

A more informal way to describe a sudden understanding.

epiphany

Implies a profound and often life-changing realization.

stroke of genius

Highlights the brilliance and ingenuity of the idea.

sudden inspiration

Focuses on the inspirational aspect of the moment.

brainwave

Suggests a sudden, clever idea or solution.

revelation

Implies the revealing of something previously unknown.

cognitive breakthrough

Highlights the cognitive aspect of the sudden understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "flash of insight" in a sentence?

You can use "flash of insight" to describe a moment when someone suddenly understands something, such as, "After struggling with the problem for days, she had a "flash of insight" and solved it immediately."

What's a more formal alternative to "flash of insight"?

While "flash of insight" is suitable for many contexts, a more formal alternative might be "sudden realization" or "epiphany", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, instead of "He had a "flash of insight"", you could say "He experienced a "sudden realization"".

Is "flash of insight" the same as "gut feeling"?

No, a "gut feeling" is an intuition or instinct, while a "flash of insight" is a sudden understanding or realization. A gut feeling is often based on emotion or instinct, whereas a "flash of insight" is based on cognitive understanding.

What words usually go before "flash of insight"?

Common words and phrases that precede "flash of insight" include "had a", "experienced a", "sudden", "momentary", and "in a". For example, "He had a "flash of insight"" or "In a "flash of insight", she understood the solution".