peek down

USAGE SUMMARY

"peek down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase that means to take a quick look downwards. Example sentence: I peeked down the hallway and saw someone standing at the end.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Nervous Day at Benny's The sun had yet to peek down on Benny's Cafe, and the smell of scones mixed with the whir of the steamer.

The New York Times - Sports

François Mitterrand would loftily peek down at journalists on occasion — Charles de Gaulle rarely did even that — and subsequent French Presidents have tried to imitate that hauteur.

The New Yorker

There was a stop now and then when we'd get out of the car and peek down into an abandoned mine shaft or just stumble around in the creosote and dust, flinching against the afternoon sun.

The Guardian - Books

Every few minutes or so, he hopped from the bed to the sliding glass door and pulled the curtain aside to peek down across the courtyard at the Gypsies' room.

The New Yorker

Put together by Margaret Connors McQuade and installed in the Hispanic Society's central courtyard, the show is surrounded by carved medieval saints and madonnas, while portraits by Velazquez, Goya and El Greco peek down from the balcony above.

The New York Times - Arts

Viewers could wander around the world and even peek down into a hole in its surface where the boy hides.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

She peeked down one stairwell, looking to see if the two possible assailants were coming, and her two friends peeked down the other.

The New York Times

I peeked down and read: FADE IN: A huge mansion in Belgravia.

The New Yorker

Lorrie and I spent the evening peeking down through a crack in the bedroom curtain, watching the parade pass by.

The New Yorker

He peeked down at his cards a few times before he was confident enough to holler for "Mr. Mientkiewicz" or "Mr. Guzman" or "Mr. Koskie".

The New York Times - Sports

Contrast this with the delight on Peter's face as he peeks down his shorts on the morning after the bug bite, and you wonder what kind of hormonal power play is going on here.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "peek down" when you want to convey a quick, often furtive, glance downwards. It's suitable for describing a discreet observation.

Common error

While "peek down" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "glance downwards" or "observe from above" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "peek down" functions as a phrasal verb, where "peek" is the verb and "down" is the particle. According to Ludwig, it describes the action of looking quickly and often discreetly in a downward direction. It suggests a brief and sometimes furtive observation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "peek down" is a phrasal verb that describes a quick, often discreet, look downwards. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, although it is suitable for general use. For more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "glance downwards". Remember to use "peek down" when you want to convey a brief and perhaps surreptitious downward glance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

glance downwards

Focuses on the direction of the glance, emphasizing the downward motion.

look down briefly

Adds the element of brevity to the action of looking down.

gaze down quickly

Implies a slightly more intense or focused look downwards, done rapidly.

peer downwards

Suggests a more inquisitive or cautious look down.

glimpse below

Emphasizes the quick and fleeting nature of the downward look.

steal a look down

Indicates a secretive or surreptitious glance downwards.

cast a glance down

Emphasizes the action of directing one's gaze downwards.

check below quickly

Suggests a quick verification of something located below.

observe from above

Highlights the position of the observer being above the subject or object being viewed.

take a quick look down

Simply uses a more verbose way of describing taking a quick glance downwards.

FAQs

How can I use "peek down" in a sentence?

You can use "peek down" to describe a quick, often secretive, look downwards. For example, "She "peeked down" the stairwell to see if anyone was coming".

What's a similar phrase to "peek down"?

Alternatives include phrases like "glance downwards", "look down briefly", or "gaze down quickly".

Is it okay to use "peek down" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "peek down" is generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "observe from above" for a more professional tone.

What does "peek down" mean?

"Peek down" means to take a quick look downwards, often discreetly or furtively. It implies a brief observation of something below.