peek out

USAGE SUMMARY

"peek out" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to look quickly or briefly out of something, such as a window or a hiding place. Example: She slowly opened the door and peeked out to see if the rain had stopped.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Let it become the place you peek out from and imagine something new.

Huffington Post

Blue-green tattoos peek out from his collar.

The New Yorker

He would "peek out," then "slink back," he said.

The New York Times

Fiberglass statues of cattle peek out from the downtown rooftops and sidewalks.

The New York Times

Dried sour cherries peek out from here and there, bits of softness to complete the whole.

The New York Times - Magazine

All across this lawless land, smooth, hairless faces peek out from behind enormous guns.

The New York Times

Words peek out from the pile: Bling, Made, Good, Real, Pro, To Have, To Hold.

The New York Times

No: think of all those rabbits, just waiting to peek out from inside all those hats.

The New York Times - Books

Gables and casement windows peek out from under the steeply angled slate roof.

The New York Times

Twelve bare-bones cabins peek out at the Gulf of Mexico from behind the dunes.

The New York Times - Travel

Our hero's personality and life only peek out from behind the worldly details.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "peek out" to convey a sense of quick, often secretive or cautious looking. This phrase works well when describing someone or something briefly becoming visible from a hidden location.

Common error

Avoid using "peek out" when describing a long or continuous observation. "Peek out" implies a brief, fleeting glance. For sustained viewing, use phrases like "look out", "observe", or "watch" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "peek out" is a phrasal verb, acting as the predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of briefly looking or emerging from a concealed or enclosed space. Ludwig examples show various objects or subjects performing the action of peeking out.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "peek out" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that describes a brief or quick look, often from a hidden location. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage, particularly in news and media. It is suitable for neutral communication and conveys a sense of mystery or caution. Remember to use it to describe a brief, fleeting glance rather than a prolonged observation. Consider alternative phrases such as "glance out" or "peep out" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

peep out

Uses a synonym for 'peek', retaining the original meaning with a slightly different nuance.

glance out

Replaces 'peek' with a similar action of looking quickly, maintaining the sense of brevity.

look out briefly

Replaces the phrasal verb with a verb and adverb combination, emphasizing the short duration of the action.

become visible briefly

Highlights the act of becoming seen for a short period of time.

emerge slightly

Focuses on the action of coming out partially, rather than the act of looking.

show oneself briefly

Highlights the act of becoming visible for a short period.

partially appear

Emphasizes the incomplete appearance from a hidden location.

come into view momentarily

Focuses on the temporary nature of the appearance.

venture out cautiously

Adds an element of hesitation or risk to the act of emerging.

project slightly

Suggests a small extension or protrusion outward.

FAQs

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

You can use "peek out" to describe a quick or secretive look, as in "The child peeked out from behind the curtain" or "Flowers peek out from the garden."

What is an alternative to "peek out"?

Alternatives to "peek out" include "glance out", "peep out", or "look out briefly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "peek out" and "peep out"?

"Peek out" and "peep out" are very similar. "Peep out" might suggest a slightly more secretive or hesitant action, but they are often interchangeable.

When should I not use "peek out"?

Avoid using "peek out" when you want to describe a prolonged observation or a formal viewing. Instead, use "look", "observe", or "scan" which imply a more extended action.