glimpse of sunshine

USAGE SUMMARY

"glimpse of sunshine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is only briefly visible or experienced, like a moment of hope or joy. For example, "We were all feeling down after the difficult exam, but then we got a glimpse of sunshine when we saw the cute puppy playing in the yard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A glimpse of sunshine, for those with a touch of the winter blues.

The Guardian - Opinion

By Monday afternoon, the sky had cleared and Lumberton residents had their first glimpse of sunshine in almost a week.

The Washington Post

"I could tell you what you're missing," said Jamie, "but you'd only weep". My perspective on ice climbing at that moment was as harsh as the climate: it's very hard work, it involves periods of being cold and wet, and it doesn't necessarily involve any views or even a glimpse of sunshine.

The Guardian - Travel

Don't forget that when writing: drag your reader through the mud and they will celebrate the slightest glimpse of sunshine.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But they are only small glimpses of sunshine.

The Guardian

This engaging Turkish coming-of-age drama offers welcome glimpses of sunshine – but there are some dark clouds too.

Independent

"Taps Oan" read the message on the big screens at Hampden in reference to the locals' penchant for a bare-chest at the first glimpse of the sunshine.

BBC

But first, a glimpse of festival goers enjoying the sunshine and soaking up the acts, courtesy of Anna Kucera.

The Guardian

For a moment, the wind muscled them apart to reveal, from the brink of Offerton Moor, a grand view of Bamford lit by sunshine and a silvery glimpse of Ladybower reservoir with the moors banked around them like a cupped hand.

The Guardian

300 Annual days of sunshine.

The Guardian

Another called her "a ray of sunshine".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glimpse of sunshine" to add a touch of optimism to otherwise somber or challenging scenarios. It's effective for highlighting brief moments of positivity.

Common error

Avoid using "glimpse of sunshine" in overly sentimental or predictable situations. It can lose its impact if used too frequently or in contexts where the positivity is already obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "glimpse of sunshine" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used metaphorically to describe a brief or partial experience of something positive, such as hope or happiness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "glimpse of sunshine" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a brief moment of positivity, often amidst challenging circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While its frequency is relatively rare, the phrase finds its primary context in news and media, with some presence in academic and encyclopedic sources. When using this expression, consider its potential for cliché and strive for contexts where it adds meaningful nuance. Related phrases like "fleeting moment of joy" or "brief ray of hope" may offer suitable alternatives depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passing glimmer of hope

Replaces "glimpse" with "glimmer" and "sunshine" with "hope", both indicating a brief positive sign.

fleeting moment of joy

Replaces the visual aspect of "glimpse" with the emotional sense of joy.

brief ray of hope

Substitutes "sunshine" with "hope", emphasizing a positive expectation.

small spark of happiness

Focuses on the feeling of happiness rather than a visual "glimpse".

momentary flash of light

Emphasizes the transient nature of the light, akin to a quick "glimpse".

short burst of optimism

Conveys a sudden and brief feeling of optimism.

quick instance of relief

Highlights the feeling of relief, changing the imagery from light to emotion.

fleeting sign of positivity

Highlights the sign aspect and is less metaphorical.

brief window of opportunity

Shifts the focus to a chance or possibility rather than a feeling or visual.

temporary surge of elation

Emphasizes the feeling of elation instead of visual light.

FAQs

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

You can use "glimpse of sunshine" to describe a brief moment of happiness or hope amidst a difficult situation. For example, "After a week of rain, we finally caught a "glimpse of sunshine"."

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

You can use alternatives like "fleeting moment of joy", "brief ray of hope", or "passing glimmer of hope" depending on the context.

Is "glimpse of sunshine" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "glimpse of sunshine" is not as frequently used as other similar expressions. Ludwig suggests that it's a valid and understandable phrase, though not extremely common.

What's the difference between "glimpse of sunshine" and "ray of sunshine"?

"Glimpse of sunshine" refers to a brief or partial view of something positive, while "ray of sunshine" typically describes a person or thing that brings consistent joy and positivity.