glance up

USAGE SUMMARY

"glance up" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to quickly looking upward. Example: "She decided to glance up at the stars." Alternative expressions include "look up" and "peek up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I glance up nervously.

The Times

I glance up from my book.

The Guardian

"Better glance up every five seconds," says compere Dan Atkinson.

The Guardian

If not, glance up at 7 Great Jones Street.

The New York Times

People glance up from Kendrick Lamar videos and HBO infographics.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His daughter didn't glance up from her phone: "Uh-huh".

The New Yorker

Djokovic is starting to glance up at his box for support between points.

The New York Times

During a particularly bombastic chant involving Fenerbahçe's mother, I happened to glance up at Ayhan.

The New Yorker

Do they lavish praise on every piece or barely glance up from the iPhone?

The New York Times

The magicians barely glance up from their chessboards and silent rubbers of bridge.

The New Yorker

Be sure to glance up at the most colossal of several pipe organs.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glance up" to indicate a quick, often involuntary, upward look. It's ideal for describing moments of surprise, curiosity, or checking one's surroundings.

Common error

Avoid using "glance up" when you mean to describe a prolonged or intense upward gaze. "Glance up" implies a brief, fleeting look, while "stare up" or "gaze up" suggests sustained attention.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "glance up" is that of a phrasal verb, acting as the predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of quickly looking upwards. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "glance up" is a common and versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of quickly looking upwards. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various registers, from news articles to informal writing. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources and serves to depict a brief reaction to something that attracts one's attention. While alternatives like "look up" exist, "glance up" emphasizes the fleeting nature of the action. Be mindful to distinguish it from longer gazes and to avoid using it in contexts requiring more formal language, where "raise one's eyes" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look up

A more general term for directing one's gaze upwards, lacking the sense of brevity implied by "glance up".

take a quick look up

Emphasizes the speed and brevity of the upward look, closely mirroring the meaning of "glance up".

cast a glance upward

A more literary way to express a quick upward look, maintaining the sense of fleeting attention.

peek up

Suggests a furtive or quick look upwards, similar to "glance up" but often implying secrecy.

gaze upwards

Implies a more sustained and focused upward look, contrasting with the fleeting nature of "glance up".

raise one's eyes

A more formal way of saying "look up", devoid of the casual brevity of "glance up".

lift one's gaze

Similar to "raise one's eyes" in formality, but with a slightly more poetic tone.

look skyward

Specifically directs the gaze towards the sky, which is more restrictive than "glance up".

avert one's eyes upward

Indicates a turning away from something to look up, suggesting a shift in focus.

ogle upward

Implies staring or looking with strong interest or desire.

FAQs

How can I use "glance up" in a sentence?

You can use "glance up" to describe a quick upward look, for example: "I "glanced up" when I heard the noise" or "She "glanced up" from her book".

What's a more formal alternative to "glance up"?

While "glance up" is suitable for most contexts, "raise one's eyes" or "lift one's gaze" can be used in more formal writing to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "glance up" and "look up"?

Yes, "look up" is more general and simply means to direct your gaze upwards. "Glance up" implies a quicker, more fleeting action, often done out of curiosity or surprise, rather than a deliberate intention to view something specific. Therefore, use "look up" when there is no quickness intention.

When should I use "peek up" instead of "glance up"?

Use "peek up" when you want to convey a sense of furtiveness or trying to avoid being noticed while looking upwards. "Glance up" is more neutral and doesn't necessarily imply secrecy.