show a glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

'show a glimpse' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It's commonly used to describe giving a brief indication of something, often to build suspense or tease a larger reveal. For example, you could say, "The trailer showed a glimpse of the new villain, leaving viewers wanting to know more."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Playboy bunnies look about as rude as Victorian ladies lifting their petticoats to show a glimpse of ankle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At Chlo?Hannah MacGibbon's collection for next summer had a high, round neck top with a knife-blade slit below to show a glimpse of flesh.

The New York Times

Up-regulated protein families already show a glimpse of important pathways affecting aging during long-term storage, such as ethylene synthesis, and responses to abiotic stresses and their influence on the central metabolism.

Journal of Proteomics

"The Maldives is in a real moment of transition," she says, "which I wanted to record to show a glimpse of a conservative society on the brink of huge change".

Independent

Coat dresses in pale quilted eiderdown silk were undone to show a glimpse of shoulder, dresses in camisole and petticoat shapes were layered and tangled, like an unmade bed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This bizarre world of fabric remnants does offer a kind of realism: on a dance floor, nerves fray enough to show a glimpse of what the celebrity contestants are like in everyday life: insecure, lazy, smart, vapid, vulnerable, graceful, clumsy, humorous.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

He showed a glimpse of himself.

The New York Times - Sports

A lesser-known photograph shows a glimpse of some audience members.

The New York Times

In March, he showed a glimpse of things to come, winning the Honda Classic by one stroke over Davis Love III.

The New York Times - Sports

Peter Lampke's oil on canvas titled "Dinner's Ready" (1996) shows a glimpse of the seedier side of domesticity.

The New York Times

A shampoo commercial that showed a glimpse of a bather's shoulder was accepted in cosmopolitan Shanghai, for example, but banned in a conservative neighboring province.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "show a glimpse" when you want to tease information without fully revealing it, creating intrigue or anticipation in your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "show a glimpse" too frequently, as it can become repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "offer a sneak peek" or "provide a quick look" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show a glimpse" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to introduce or hint at something without fully revealing it. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates providing a brief indication of something to build suspense or tease a larger reveal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "show a glimpse" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that serves to introduce partial information or hint at something, creating intrigue or anticipation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it provides a brief indication of something to build suspense or tease a larger reveal. Commonly found in news, science, and business contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various communication purposes. To avoid repetition, consider using alternatives such as "offer a sneak peek" or "provide a quick look".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer a sneak peek

Replaces "show" with "offer" and "glimpse" with "sneak peek", emphasizing the intentional presentation of a preview.

provide a quick look

Substitutes "show" with "provide" and "glimpse" with "quick look", highlighting the brevity of the view.

give a hint

Replaces the entire phrase with a more general term for suggesting something without fully revealing it.

present a taste

Uses "taste" as a metaphor for a small sample or experience, altering the imagery.

offer an inkling

Similar to "give a hint" but uses "inkling" to suggest a vague idea or suspicion.

reveal a touch

Focuses on the subtle aspect of the revelation, using "touch" to indicate a slight amount.

unveil a fragment

Emphasizes the unveiling of a small part of something larger.

suggest a possibility

Shifts the focus to indicating potential rather than directly revealing something.

indicate a sign

Focuses on pointing out a sign, mark or token instead of showing.

imply an aspect

Instead of showing, something is implicitly communicated

FAQs

How can I use "show a glimpse" in a sentence?

You can use "show a glimpse" to introduce partial information, such as, "The presentation "showed a glimpse" of the company's future plans."

What can I say instead of "show a glimpse"?

Alternatives include "offer a sneak peek", "provide a quick look", or "give a hint" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "show a glimpse of" something?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For example, "The article "showed a glimpse of" the upcoming research findings."

What's the difference between "show a glimpse" and "give a preview"?

"Show a glimpse" implies a brief, often unintentional, revelation, while "give a preview" suggests a more deliberate and planned presentation of information.