glimpse of emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "glimpse of emotion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a brief or fleeting expression of feelings or sentiments in a person or situation. Example: "In her eyes, I caught a glimpse of emotion that revealed her true feelings about the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In "Shadow Warrior," we get the occasional glimpse of emotion.

The New York Times - Books

At her tears, Mr. Ravi himself broke down crying, the first time since the beginning of the trial that he had publicly shown more than a glimpse of emotion.

The New York Times

In reaction to this glimpse of emotion, Rachel becomes queenly and remote, retreating into her role as homemaker, unpacking the shopping into the kitchen cupboards and the fridge, running hot water for the dirty pasta plates.

The New Yorker

Beyond the truly empathetic and comforting nurse that took care of my wife and baby that evening, there was little to no glimpse of emotion or understanding in the process.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Despite its unexpected glimpses of emotion, this interview is a masterly example of that White House plan in action, as it insistently projects the image of a president going to war for justice.

The New York Times - Arts

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has become the open and accessible candidate — sharing beers with reporters, taking endless questions from voters at campaign events and showing rare glimpses of emotion.

The New York Times

He commented on the choice of the single, noting "the glimpses of emotion shown on her last offering, 'Your Love Is My Drug', are as long gone as her sobriety".

Wikipedia

Richard Koci Hernandez: "My definition of the decisive moment is a moment when life, the universe, God, what have you, offers you a glimpse of pure emotion.

The New Yorker

It is unusual to glimpse this kind of emotion.

The Guardian - Books

Joe Biden is great at conveying empathy, and while Obama won't and shouldn't try to emulate Biden's heart-on-sleeve style, he'll surely be looking for opportunities this week and during the rest of the campaign to show flashes of anger, glimpses of raw emotion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead what we get are elusive glimpses of great emotion, much like poetry.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glimpse of emotion" to describe a fleeting or subtle display of feelings, especially when observing a person or situation where strong emotions are not typically expressed. This phrase adds nuance and depth to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "glimpse of emotion" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions of emotions with more specific and descriptive language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "glimpse of emotion" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a brief or momentary sighting or experience of an emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "glimpse of emotion" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich noun phrase used to describe a fleeting or subtle experience of emotion. While not overly common, it appears in reputable news sources and is useful for conveying nuanced observations about people's feelings. Ludwig AI confirms the appropriateness of using this phrase. Alternatives such as "flash of emotion" or "hint of emotion" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flash of emotion

This emphasizes the sudden and brief appearance of an emotion.

hint of emotion

This alternative suggests a subtle and indirect indication of feeling, rather than a direct sighting.

brief display of feeling

This conveys that the emotion is shown briefly.

trace of emotion

This suggests an even more subtle and difficult to detect presence of feeling.

touch of emotion

This highlights the delicate and understated quality of the emotion.

fleeting emotion

This alternative removes the visual metaphor, directly stating the transient nature of the emotion.

sign of feeling

This replaces "emotion" with "feeling" to express the same meaning.

inkling of emotion

This suggests a vague or uncertain sense of emotion, rather than a clear sighting.

surge of emotion

This conveys a sudden and powerful upwelling of feeling, differing from a subtle glimpse.

moment of vulnerability

This focuses on vulnerability as the manifested emotion.

FAQs

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

You can use "glimpse of emotion" to describe seeing a brief or subtle display of feelings. For instance, "I saw a "glimpse of emotion" in her eyes when she spoke about her childhood."

What can I say instead of "glimpse of emotion"?

You can use alternatives like "hint of emotion", "flash of emotion", or "trace of emotion" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "glimpse of emotion" or "show of emotion"?

"Glimpse of emotion" suggests a brief or subtle display, whereas "show of emotion" implies a more overt expression. The best choice depends on the specific context you're describing.

What does "glimpse of emotion" suggest about the person experiencing the emotion?

A "glimpse of emotion" often suggests that the person is either trying to hide their feelings or that the emotion is fleeting and not typically expressed openly.