gaze down quickly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gaze down quickly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of looking down rapidly, often in response to something surprising or distracting. Example: "When she heard the unexpected noise, she instinctively chose to gaze down quickly to see what had caused it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Things broke down quickly.

The Economist

Sculpted lions gaze down from sepulchers.

The New York Times

Buddhas gaze down on 57th Street.

The New York Times - Arts

"It breaks down quickly".

The New York Times - Health

But shecalmed down quickly.

The New York Times - Magazine

They closed down quickly.

The Guardian - Sport

Ilona followed his gaze down to the small rectangular pond.

The New Yorker

From there, the numbers whittle down quickly.

The Economist

Isaac was taken down quickly.

The New Yorker

They gaze down without a hint of concern.

The Guardian

They gaze down on the current players, perhaps evaluating them.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gaze down quickly" to describe a rapid downward look, often prompted by surprise, curiosity, or distraction. It suggests a more focused and deliberate action than a simple "glance".

Common error

While "gaze" implies a focused look, avoid using "gaze down quickly" in very informal situations where a simpler term like "look" or "glance" might be more appropriate. Overusing "gaze" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gaze down quickly" functions as a compound verb phrase, indicating a specific action. "Gaze" acts as the main verb, describing the manner of looking, while "down" specifies the direction, and "quickly" modifies the verb to indicate the speed of the action. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gaze down quickly" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a rapid downward look. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English. Though current real-world usage examples are limited, the phrase serves to indicate a focused yet swift shift of visual attention, often prompted by curiosity or reaction. While "gaze" itself can suggest formality, the adverb "quickly" moderates the tone, rendering the phrase suitable for a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look down rapidly

Emphasizes the speed of the downward glance, maintaining a similar meaning.

glance downward swiftly

Replaces "gaze" with "glance" and "quickly" with "swiftly", both synonymous in this context.

cast eyes down hastily

Uses more figurative language to express a hurried downward look.

look downwards briefly

Focuses on the short duration of the downward look.

peer downward quickly

Emphasizes the act of looking intently downwards.

drop eyes quickly

Highlights the action of lowering the eyes.

shoot a quick glance down

Focuses on the fleeting nature of the look.

lower eyes swiftly

Simple and direct alternative, focusing on the movement of the eyes.

look down in a flash

Emphasizes the suddenness of the action.

peep downward rapidly

Suggests a quick, almost secretive, downward look.

FAQs

How can I use "gaze down quickly" in a sentence?

You can use "gaze down quickly" to describe someone looking downward rapidly, often in response to something unexpected or interesting. For example: "When she heard the noise, she chose to "gaze down quickly" to see what had made it."

What can I say instead of "gaze down quickly"?

You can use alternatives like "look down rapidly", "glance downward swiftly", or "cast eyes down hastily" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "gaze down quickly" the same as "look down quickly"?

While similar, "gaze" suggests a more focused and intent look than "look". "Look down quickly" is a more neutral and general term, while "gaze down quickly" implies more deliberation.

What is the difference between "gaze down" and "glance down quickly"?

"Gaze down" implies a steady, focused look downwards, while "glance down quickly" indicates a brief and rapid downward look. The addition of "quickly" emphasizes the speed and brevity of the action.