from a sideways glance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from a sideways glance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quick or indirect look at something, often implying a lack of thorough examination. Example: "From a sideways glance, it seemed like the project was on track, but I needed to investigate further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I'm typically not an advocate for encouraging nonprofits to operate "more like a business," but I think we could benefit from a sideways glance at organizations like Google, IDEO, and Zappos that have put culture at the center of their business models, with demonstrable positive results for themselves and their customers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Far be it from me to give a sideways glance to anyone from the WSJ, but what they're basically saying is that open source isn't the problem, it's that these phones aren't locked down; an unwitting pawn could be made of some poor fool who downloads the wrong program.

TechCrunch

Just in time for what would have been Chavez's 87th birthday (he died in 1993), Grimes has created a cartoon that shows the union leader handing a strawberry to characters from Mad Men and then getting a sideways glance from Downton Abbey's Lady Grantham -- a woman who thought that the help should remain invisible.

Huffington Post

Rugs used to get only a sideways glance from the design world, but no longer.

The New York Times

A sideways glance from the acerbic Mr. Stewart, the urbane Mr. Baldwin or their younger, stylish successors, and suddenly we, too, are New Yorkers — sophisticates who can chuckle at it all, even while sopping up the glamour.

The New York Times

After big wins in several states, Donald Trump proclaimed, to a sideways glance from Mary Pat Christie, that "the only card [Clinton] has is the woman's card".

Huffington Post

God, they'd danced out from under the massive bowers of wisteria without a sideways glance and were doing a salsa, or something hippy and swivelling, up the middle of the road.

The New Yorker

Bearing a striking resemblance to gawky teenager Will from The Inbetweeners, he can crack up a room with a sideways glance, and his sweet, storytelling pop somehow manages to be simultaneously hilarious and heartwarming, especially on single Londonderry.

Independent

From his first scene Chad Coleman's acting embodies this: through a sideways glance, a slight sigh, it is clear he has doubts about returning to his old career and that this might come to cause Avon - or himself - a problem.

The Guardian

Although there was a sideways glance back to the 1980s, with wrapped tubular knitwear from the heyday of men in skirts.

The New York Times

A wink, a smile, a sideways glance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "from a sideways glance" when you want to imply that an observation was made quickly, indirectly, or without deep analysis. It's useful for setting a tone of casualness or suggesting a limited understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "from a sideways glance" in contexts that require precise or detailed observations. This phrase is best suited for scenarios where a rough impression is sufficient, not when accuracy is paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from a sideways glance" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the manner in which something was observed or assessed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show it describing a quick, often incomplete, assessment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "from a sideways glance" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a quick, indirect, and often superficial observation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys the idea of a casual or incomplete assessment. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the level of detail required in your description, opting for more precise language when accuracy is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

From a brief look

Replaces "sideways glance" with a more general term for a quick look.

From a quick glimpse

Uses "glimpse" to emphasize the brevity of the look.

At first sight

Focuses on the initial impression gained from a quick look.

From a cursory observation

Highlights the lack of thoroughness in the observation.

Based on a fleeting impression

Emphasizes the transient nature of the observation.

From a superficial assessment

Stresses the lack of depth in the evaluation.

Judging by a passing look

Uses "passing look" to convey a quick and casual observation.

Based on a casual glance

Highlights the informality of the observation.

From a peripheral view

Suggests an observation made from the edge of one's vision or attention.

In passing

Implies that the observation was made incidentally or without deliberate focus.

FAQs

What does "from a sideways glance" mean?

It means judging something based on a quick, indirect look, often implying a lack of thorough examination or detailed analysis.

How can I use "from a sideways glance" in a sentence?

You might say, "From a sideways glance, the project seemed to be progressing well, but a closer inspection revealed several issues."

What are some alternatives to "from a sideways glance"?

Consider using alternatives like "from a brief look", "at first sight", or "from a cursory observation" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "from a sideways glance" formal or informal?

It tends to be more informal, suitable for casual writing or conversation where a precise, in-depth analysis isn't necessary. For formal contexts, a more direct and detailed description might be preferable.