hasty look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hasty look" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to describe a quick or hurried glance at something. Example: "She cast a hasty look at the clock before rushing out the door."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She has a hasty look as she bustles in, wrapped in a black shawl – part Mediterranean peasant, part human dynamo.

The Guardian

Ramin Bahrani's "99 Homes," released in September, took a far less hasty look at the catastrophe in Florida, and at the families who felt the brunt.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yemen flatly denied that it had any intention of sending soldiers to Iraq.To find reasons for the hasty retreat, look no further than the opinion pages in the Arab press.

The Economist

I'm not sure that the hasty, granulated look of "Bamboozled," with the camera scampering along behind the characters, was the way to go; I know that Lee is on urgent, unstable ground here, but the slackness of the movie does begin to feel ominous.

The New Yorker

A hasty, anxious look in the cabinets and under the sink yields nothing, and creative problem solving takes over.

TechCrunch

Phillips's itinerary, which was approved by Fred Wilpon, the president, was hasty and looked even more careless once the student apologized for botching Valentine's words.

The New York Times - Sports

This makes the decision look hasty and vindictive, especially given his subsequent statements.

The Economist

It looks hasty, even panicky.

The Economist

A huge and hasty EU/IMF bailout looked inevitable.

The Guardian

However, we realise we were hasty, and having looked the company up on a forum, have seen there are other customers who say their high pressure sales tactics led to elderly people being vulnerable.

The Guardian - Money

The other man, shorter in stature, also wearing a suit jacket, with a slight paunch which the much-too-tight jacket emphasized, sent us a hasty glance and looked down.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "quick glance" or "fleeting glimpse" if you want to convey the speed and lack of focus in the observation. "Hasty look" can sometimes sound awkward, so choose the wording that best fits your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "hasty look" as a default. Instead, consider whether you want to emphasize the speed, superficiality, or furtiveness of the look. Choosing a more precise word will make your writing more vivid and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hasty look" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "hasty" modifies the noun "look". It describes the manner in which someone looks at something. Ludwig AI data shows it is related to News & Media.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hasty look" describes a quick and superficial observation. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests it's not very common, with its primary context being "News & Media". Alternatives like "quick glance" or "fleeting glimpse" may offer more precise connotations. When writing, be mindful of the specific nuance you want to convey and consider whether a more descriptive phrase might be more effective. It's more appropriate in neutral settings rather than very formal or academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quick glance

Emphasizes the speed and brevity of the look.

fleeting glimpse

Highlights the momentary nature of the visual impression.

cursory observation

Focuses on the superficial and potentially incomplete nature of the assessment.

swift peek

Suggests a furtive or surreptitious look.

rapid scan

Implies a systematic but hurried visual search.

brief survey

Indicates a quick overview of something.

superficial inspection

Highlights a lack of thoroughness in the examination.

perfunctory glance

Implies the look was done as a duty, lacking real interest.

casual observation

Suggests a lack of seriousness or intent in the looking.

passing look

Implies a look that is not focused or sustained.

FAQs

What does "hasty look" mean?

A "hasty look" refers to a quick, hurried glance, often implying a lack of thoroughness or attention.

What can I say instead of "hasty look"?

You can use alternatives like "quick glance", "fleeting glimpse", or "cursory observation" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "hasty look" in writing?

Use "hasty look" when you want to emphasize the hurried and potentially superficial nature of the observation, especially when someone does not give much attention to the thing they are looking at.

Is "hasty look" considered formal or informal language?

The phrase "hasty look" falls somewhere in the neutral range, tending slightly toward informal due to the alternative of other more specific wordings.