fleeting glimpse of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fleeting glimpse of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or momentary view or insight into something. Example: "As I walked through the forest, I caught a fleeting glimpse of a deer before it disappeared into the trees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The record allows a fleeting glimpse of Mary's sense of herself.

The New Yorker

An insight is a fleeting glimpse of the brain's huge store of unknown knowledge.

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

There was a single harsh cry, followed by a fleeting glimpse of soft shapes overhead.

The Times

The Jane Seymour section briefly blossomed into a lusher melodiousness, a fleeting glimpse of love.

The New York Times - Arts

She liked him immediately and had a sudden, fleeting glimpse of their future together.

The New York Times - Style

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

The Guardian - Sport

Fleeting glimpse of an old man with his burro laden with plastic milk containers filled from some secret cenote.

The New Yorker

But it turned out to be nothing more than a fleeting glimpse of what could have been.

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New Yorker

What had made him step on the gas was a fleeting glimpse of a trouser cuff beneath her skirt.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleeting glimpse of" to vividly describe something seen or understood only briefly. This phrase adds a sense of transience and often implies that the observation was incomplete or quickly gone.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting glimpse of" when describing something observed for an extended period. The word 'fleeting' implies brevity, so using it to describe prolonged observation creates a contradiction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting glimpse of" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it describes a brief or momentary view, impression, or understanding of something. It adds a layer of transience to the observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fleeting glimpse of" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a brief or momentary view or understanding. Ludwig's examples from various sources, predominantly news and media, confirm its widespread use. The phrase functions to convey the transient nature of an observation, implying it was quick or incomplete. While generally neutral in register, its formality can be influenced by the surrounding context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

momentary glimpse of

Highlights the short duration of the sighting or understanding.

passing glimpse of

Highlights that the observation occurred in passing, or was not the main focus.

brief look at

Focuses on the brevity of the observation, emphasizing the act of looking rather than the insight gained.

quick glance at

Similar to 'brief look', but emphasizes the speed of the observation.

brief sighting of

Focuses on the act of seeing something for a short time.

transient view of

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the visual experience.

short view of

Stresses the concise nature of the view.

fleeting peek at

Suggests a surreptitious or casual observation.

hasty look at

Implies the observation was made quickly, possibly without careful attention.

split-second view of

Highlights the extremely short duration of the visual encounter.

FAQs

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

You can use "fleeting glimpse of" to describe a brief or momentary view or insight. For example, "I caught a "fleeting glimpse of" the deer before it disappeared into the trees" or "The presentation offered a "fleeting glimpse of" the company's future plans".

What's a more formal alternative to "fleeting glimpse of"?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "brief observation of" or "momentary view of". These phrases maintain a similar meaning while sounding more professional.

What words are similar to "fleeting glimpse of"?

Similar phrases include "brief look at", "quick glance at", or "momentary glimpse of". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a fleeting glimpse at" instead of "a fleeting glimpse of"?

While "fleeting glimpse of" is the standard and more common usage, "fleeting glimpse at" is grammatically acceptable but less frequently used. "Fleeting glimpse of" is generally preferred for its idiomatic nature.