get a glimpse of

USAGE SUMMARY

"get a glimpse of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a brief or fleeting look at something. For example, "I got a glimpse of a beautiful sunset before it disappeared into the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Again, we get a glimpse of it.

The New Yorker

I barely get a glimpse of Scorpio.

The New York Times

Hoping we get a glimpse of some other cast members.

Independent

You get a glimpse of Everest, and then it disappears.

The New Yorker

He was hoping to get a glimpse of it.

The New Yorker

Yet we do get a glimpse of what they loved.

The Guardian - Arts

Today, we will get a glimpse of its possible future.

The New York Times

And we get a glimpse of the embryonic dragon.

The Guardian

Just be nice to get a glimpse of them, really".

The Guardian - Sport

You get a glimpse of that expansive, turbulent universe here.

The New York Times - Arts

We barely get a glimpse of the damned stuff.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about anticipations, consider using "get a glimpse of" to subtly introduce future outcomes or possibilities.

Common error

While "get a glimpse of" is widely understood, it might be too informal for academic or highly professional writing. In such cases, consider more formal alternatives like "observe briefly" or "gain a brief insight into".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get a glimpse of" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of briefly or partially seeing something. It suggests that the view is not complete or prolonged, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get a glimpse of" is a commonly used phrase to describe briefly seeing something, often unexpectedly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for general use, though it may be too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Its frequent appearance in news and media indicates its broad applicability. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "catch a sight of" or "catch a glimpse of" to achieve similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch a glimpse of

Very similar, focusing on a brief, often unintentional view.

glimpse

A more concise, single-word verb form with the same meaning.

catch a sight of

Focuses on the visual aspect, emphasizing seeing something briefly.

get a brief look at

More explicit and less idiomatic, focusing on the short duration.

get a peek at

Implies a quick, often secretive, look.

have a fleeting view of

Stresses the temporary and insubstantial nature of the sighting.

get a flash of

Emphasizes the suddenness and brevity of the view.

get a hint of

Shifts from visual to suggestive, implying a slight indication.

get a taste of

Implies experiencing something briefly, not necessarily visual.

make out

Suggests discerning something with effort, often in poor conditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "get a glimpse of" to describe a brief or partial view of something. For example, "I managed to "catch a sight of" the fireworks from my window".

What can I say instead of "get a glimpse of"?

You can use alternatives like "catch a glimpse of", "get a peek at", or simply "glimpse" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "got a glimpse of" instead of "get a glimpse of"?

Yes, "got a glimpse of" is the past tense form and is perfectly correct when describing something you saw in the past. The present tense, "get a glimpse of", is used for present or future possibilities.

What's the difference between "get a glimpse of" and "see"?

"Get a glimpse of" implies a brief or incomplete view, while "see" is more general and doesn't necessarily indicate the duration or quality of the view.