have a glance

USAGE SUMMARY

"have a glance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to invite someone to look at something quickly. For example: "Have a glance at this report and let me know what you think."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Talking of which, have a glance at these 1970s gems of public service broadcasting.

The Guardian - Music

But turn your head and have a glance, for Cape May is actually two cities.

The New York Times

And for the big cities of the English-speaking world, have a glance at Urbanspoon, which arguably has its finger on the hip and happenin' pulse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I've never really thought about the meanings behind names, but the lovely folk at the University of the West of England are putting together a database of surnames, so I thought I'd have a glance.

The Guardian - Opinion

With the furore of September in full swing, it can be hard to lift your head above the parapet and have a glance at what's going on in education beyond your own school and country.

The Guardian

"Every now and then I read about 'sophomores" and have a glance back at the front of the paper to see that I haven't picked up an alumni magazine by mistake.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"We have a glancing attention to Constellation, even mentioning it in past tense," she said.

The New York Times - Science

As a result, any and all criticisms of the banking sector are likely to get a nod of approval, even if they have a glancing acquaintance with the truth.

The New Yorker

Although Parks's themes have a glancing similarity to those of Patricia Highsmith's psychological thriller "The Talented Mr. Ripley," any expectation of narrative realism quickly melts in the heat of Parks's high-camp artifice.

The New York Times - Books

I had a glance through and the chap was much older than me.

The Guardian

Had Pauling come to London and had a glance at Photograph 51, he would surely have deduced the correct structure as quickly as Watson and Crick did.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have a glance" when you want to suggest a quick and casual look at something, rather than a thorough examination. For example, "Have a glance at the document before the meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "have a glance" when you actually mean "catch a glimpse". "Have a glance" suggests an intentional, albeit brief, look, while "catch a glimpse" implies an unintentional or fleeting view.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a glance" functions as an idiomatic expression used to suggest a brief or quick look at something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It encourages a superficial examination rather than an in-depth analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have a glance" is a common idiomatic phrase used to suggest taking a quick look at something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While generally neutral in tone, it may be more suitable for informal contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "briefly examine" in professional or academic settings. Remember to use "have a glance" when the context calls for a quick, casual look, and avoid it when a more thorough examination is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a peek

Suggests a quick and often surreptitious look, implying a shorter duration or more casual observation.

take a look

A more general term for examining something, but still implying a relatively brief inspection.

cast an eye

A more figurative and slightly formal way to say 'take a look'.

have a peep

Similar to 'take a peek', implying a quick and often secretive look.

give a once-over

Implies a quick, comprehensive scan to assess something rapidly.

take a gander

An informal, often British, term for taking a look.

scan briefly

Focuses on the action of scanning something rapidly.

skim over

Suggests a very quick reading or examination, focusing on the surface details.

flick through

Typically used when quickly looking through pages or items.

check out quickly

A more direct and less idiomatic way to express the same concept, focusing on a fast check.

FAQs

What does "have a glance" mean?

"Have a glance" means to take a quick look at something, usually to get a general idea without studying it in detail. It suggests a brief and casual observation.

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

You can use "have a glance" to invite someone to look at something quickly. For example: "Have a glance at this report and let me know what you think."

What's the difference between "have a glance" and "take a look"?

While both phrases suggest examining something, "have a glance" typically implies a shorter, more cursory look than "take a look". The latter can suggest a more thorough examination.

Are there any formal alternatives to "have a glance"?

For more formal situations, you might use phrases like "briefly examine" or "quickly review" instead of "have a glance".