quick look

USAGE SUMMARY

"quick look" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a quick glance or to draw attention to something you want someone to take a brief look at. For example: "Let's take a quick look at the agenda before we begin the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Quick, look around the office.

The New York Times - Tech

That's a quick look at Jakarta.

The New York Times - Travel

Alain exchanged a quick look with Yves.

Harvard Business Review

Take a quick look around your office.

The Guardian - Money

"Shingles," he said, after a quick look.

The New York Times - Health

A quick look at the history of ads in books.

The New Yorker

Another squirms; Ms Dantes silences him with a quick look.

The Economist

Other women had taken a quick look and said no.

The New Yorker

Anyway, I only meant to take a quick look.

The New Yorker

But first, a quick look at past form.

The Economist

A quick look at the remaining plausible candidates shows why.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quick look" when you need to convey a fast and non-thorough examination or observation. It's suitable for scenarios where detail isn't the primary concern.

Common error

While "quick look" is versatile, avoid overusing it in formal reports or academic papers where a more precise term like "preliminary analysis" or "cursory review" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quick look" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used in conjunction with a verb (e.g., "take a quick look") to indicate the action of briefly examining something. Ludwig examples show it being used to introduce a brief overview or inspection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quick look" is a common and generally correct expression used to describe a brief examination or overview. Ludwig examples confirm its widespread use across various sources, from news and media to academic contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "preliminary analysis" in formal writing. It functions primarily as a noun phrase indicating an action, and its register is generally neutral. Remember to use it when a rapid, non-thorough assessment is needed, avoiding overuse in situations demanding detailed analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a glimpse

Simply a shorter version with almost equivalent meaning of the original phrase.

brief glance

Replaces "quick look" with synonyms, emphasizing the brevity of the action.

swift peek

Uses "peek" as a more casual synonym for "look", maintaining the sense of speed.

fleeting glimpse

Focuses on the momentary nature of the view, similar to a "quick look".

hasty examination

Similar to "quick look", but emphasizes the speed and potential lack of thoroughness.

fast scan

Emphasizes the rapid and systematic nature of the observation.

cursory inspection

Suggests a more formal and less detailed examination than a "quick look".

speedy overview

Highlights the rapid and comprehensive nature of the observation.

brief survey

Implies a more structured, though still rapid, assessment.

once-over

An informal term for a quick and general inspection.

FAQs

How can I use "quick look" in a sentence?

You can use "quick look" to describe a brief examination or observation. For example, "Let's take a quick look at the data before we proceed".

What are some alternatives to "quick look"?

You can use alternatives like "brief glance", "cursory inspection", or "fleeting glimpse" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "quick look" in formal writing?

While "quick look" is widely understood, it may be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "preliminary analysis" or "cursory review".

What does "quick look" mean?

The phrase "quick look" refers to a brief and often superficial examination or observation, usually done rapidly without in-depth analysis.