fleeting remark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fleeting remark" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a comment or statement that is made quickly and is not intended to be taken seriously or remembered. Example: "During the meeting, she made a fleeting remark about the project's timeline that caught everyone's attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Hatcher also includes some fleeting remarks to remind us just how inconsequential etiquette lessons seemed in 1967, not just to 10-year-olds — etiquette lessons always seem inconsequential to 10-year-olds — but to their older siblings in college.

The New York Times

Beyond these fleeting remarks, a Platonist legacy in architectural thought may be located in the influence of idealism.

SEP

After polite applause from the studio audience, three expert guests attempted to fill in the theological gaps and pad out the fleeting pontifical remarks.

Independent

The light atmosphere produced by that remark was fleeting.

The New York Times - Sports

Bishops must show courage that "does not let itself be intimidated by the seductions of the world" and fleeting fashions, he said in remarks that seemed aimed at appeasing conservatives.

Vice

Unfortunately, he has never made a recruiting speech -- even his most recent remarks had only a fleeting call to arms at the end.

The New York Times

And Mr. Bloomberg has made fleeting reference to Bonnie and Clyde in political contexts, remarking that the city's parks had become so safe under his leadership that "my girlfriend goes and walks the dogs at 1 in the morning".

The New York Times

This now, had me searching for the mother I knew and only grasping fleeting glances of her between her painful remarks about how difficult life had become.

Huffington Post

In this respect, Nietzsche would agree with Charles Baudelaire, who describes modernity as "the transient, the fleeting, the contingent" that is repeated in all ages (Cahoone 2003, 100), and postmodernists read Nietzsche's remarks on the eternal return accordingly.

SEP

Age: Fleeting.

The Guardian

Too fleeting!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleeting remark" when you want to downplay the significance or impact of a comment, often to suggest it was brief and not deeply considered.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting remark" to describe important or impactful statements. This can undermine the intended message and confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting remark" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "fleeting" modifies the noun "remark". It describes a comment that is brief, quickly said, and often insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fleeting remark" is a grammatically sound and rarely used expression to describe a brief and often insignificant comment. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and suitable for use in English writing. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure you aim to downplay the importance of the comment to avoid miscommunication. Alternative phrases such as "brief comment" or "passing comment" can offer similar connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief comment

Emphasizes the short duration of the comment.

passing comment

Highlights the casual and unimportant nature of the comment.

quick observation

Focuses on the speed and lack of depth in the observation.

casual mention

Underscores the informality and lack of emphasis in the mention.

short statement

Simply refers to the statement being concise.

cursory comment

Implies a superficial and hurried remark.

incidental remark

Suggests the remark was not central to the conversation.

throwaway line

Conveys that the remark was unimportant and easily forgotten.

hasty remark

Focuses on the speed and possible lack of consideration of the comment.

offhand comment

Indicates the comment was made without much thought or preparation.

FAQs

How can I use "fleeting remark" in a sentence?

You can use "fleeting remark" to describe a comment that is brief and not particularly important. For example, "He made a "fleeting remark" about the weather before moving on to the main topic."

What can I say instead of "fleeting remark"?

You can use alternatives like "brief comment", "passing comment", or "quick observation" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "fleeting remark" or "fleeting comment"?

"Fleeting remark" and "fleeting comment" are both correct and usable. The choice depends on personal preference, as they convey very similar meanings.

What's the difference between "fleeting remark" and "casual remark"?

"Fleeting remark" emphasizes the brevity and transience of the comment, while "casual remark" highlights its informality and lack of seriousness. Depending on what you want to emphasize, you can choose one or the other.