glimpse a flash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "glimpse a flash" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or fleeting sighting of something, often something surprising or sudden. Example: "As I walked through the forest, I caught a glimpse of a flash of color darting between the trees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I glimpse a flash of the distinctive "egg-and-bacon" yellow-and-pink tie of the Marylebone Cricket Club, the custodians of the laws of cricket, whose home is Lord's.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Count," said one boy, glimpsing a flash over the rooftops.

The New York Times

Down deep in my soul, farthest away from the tip of my iceberg, I glimpsed a flash of his brilliant future on this magical campus, and it gave me hope for all of us.

Huffington Post

In less than a second, they may have gotten their one and only shadowy glimpse of a flash of feathers, or heard perhaps a nondescript chirp.

The New York Times - Science

The tourists glimpse a muddled flash of fins and a massive tail whipping around inside the crown of flying foam.

Yale University

On my ride from the bus station to the campus, I'd barely glimpsed New Haven — a flash of crumpled building here, a trio of straggly kids there.

The New Yorker

He is that rare sensory phenomenon an eidetic artist: an artist able to hold in memory, for hours or days (perhaps for years), an entire scene that has been glimpsed in a flash.

The New Yorker

For Mrs Miniver, he inserts a menacing glimpse of a flashing blade while Walter Pidgeon is mooning over the heroine, turning his quiet love into something dark and sinister (which, of course, never materialises in the story).

The Guardian - Film

Then, one morning, running on a late winter day, I caught a glimpse of color, a flash of white, on the drab gray-brown ground as I passed the Swedish Cottage.

The New York Times - Arts

We caught a glimpse of a gunman flash by before he was apprehended by the police.

Huffington Post

Occasionally, we'd see a flash of colour and glimpse a train of Minis scuttling like Day-Glo beetles across a junction or driving past us in the opposite direction, waving and blaring their horns.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glimpse a flash" to describe a very brief or sudden visual experience, often implying surprise or unexpectedness. For example, "Through the dense fog, I glimpsed a flash of light from the lighthouse."

Common error

Avoid using "glimpse a flash" when describing prolonged or continuous events. The phrase is best suited for fleeting moments, not sustained observations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "glimpse a flash" functions as a verb phrase describing a fleeting visual perception. As Ludwig AI shows, it is often used to describe seeing something suddenly and briefly.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "glimpse a flash" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe briefly seeing a sudden light or burst of color. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While not very common, it's found primarily in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases like "catch a fleeting glimpse" offer similar meanings. When using the phrase, remember to reserve it for truly fleeting moments and not for sustained observations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch a fleeting glimpse

Emphasizes the briefness of the sighting.

see a momentary flicker

Highlights the quick, unstable nature of what's seen.

observe a brief shimmer

Focuses on a quick, shimmering appearance.

notice a sudden burst

Conveys a sudden and intense but short appearance.

perceive a quick spark

Implies a tiny, energetic display is briefly viewed.

spot a swift gleam

Highlights a quick, reflective appearance.

witness a rapid flare

Suggests a bright and quick illumination.

detect a short glimmer

Emphasizes a faint and short-lived appearance.

make out a passing gleam

Implies a difficult but successful sighting of a brief light.

observe a fleeting spark

Combines the quickness and energy of the visual event.

FAQs

How can I use "glimpse a flash" in a sentence?

Use "glimpse a flash" to describe seeing something very briefly and suddenly. For example, "As the car sped past, I glimpsed a flash of red."

What is a similar phrase to "glimpse a flash"?

Similar phrases include "catch a fleeting glimpse" or "see a momentary flicker", which also suggest a brief sighting.

Is it correct to say "glimpse of a flash"?

While "glimpse of a flash" is grammatically correct, "glimpse a flash" emphasizes the act of briefly seeing the flash itself. Consider the context to determine the best phrasing.

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

"See a flash" is a general statement of observation, whereas "glimpse a flash" implies that the sighting was brief, sudden or not fully observed. The former simply indicates awareness, while the latter adds a sense of transience.