stole a glance

USAGE SUMMARY

"stole a glance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to quickly and discreetly look at something or someone. Example: The teacher caught me stealing a glance at my crush during class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Greenfeld stole a glance at me. "A dynamo".

The New York Times - Magazine

The German and French leaders hesitated, stole a glance and smirked.

The Economist

I stole a glance at Mann; sure enough, tears were streaming down his cheeks.

The New Yorker

Nodding with increasing trepidation, I stole a glance around the fluorescent-lighted room.

The New York Times

Every time she stole a glance she saw him immersed in his reading, brow furrowed, chewing his lower lip.

The New Yorker

I love watching people do what they love, so I stole a glance at her and her artwork.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

He looked up, stealing a glance at his audience.

The New York Times

He just threw a few extra tosses, never once stealing a glance that way.

The New York Times - Sports

"She was so patient," he said, stealing a glance at his wife.

The New York Times

You steal a glance at the paper and see that it's June already.

The New York Times - Sports

"Thank you," the Russian woman says with a nod, stealing a glance at the other Russians.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stole a glance" to subtly convey a character's interest or curiosity without explicitly stating their intentions. It adds depth to the narrative by implying hidden thoughts or emotions.

Common error

Avoid using "stole a glance" in formal reports or professional documents. Opt for more direct and neutral language like "observed" or "noticed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stole a glance" primarily functions as a verb phrase modifying a subject by describing a specific action. The Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. It typically indicates a brief, often surreptitious, act of looking.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stole a glance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a quick, often secretive, look. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for descriptive writing, particularly in news and media contexts. While it isn't appropriate for formal or scientific writing, its use adds depth to narratives by implying hidden thoughts or emotions. Consider related phrases like "sneaked a peek" or "glanced furtively" for nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sneaked a peek

Implies a more deliberate and secretive action than a quick glance.

Glanced furtively

Highlights the secretive and potentially guilty nature of the look.

Cast a quick look

Focuses on the speed of the action, less emphasis on secrecy.

Darted a look

Emphasizes the sudden and rapid movement of the eyes.

Took a fleeting look

Emphasizes the brief duration of the glance.

偷看了一眼 (tōu kàn le yī yǎn)

Chinese translation, offering cross-lingual equivalence but contextual differences may be present.

Cast a sidelong glance

Indicates the glance was made from the corner of the eye.

Secretly observed

Focuses on the act of observing in a secretive manner.

Surreptitiously eyed

Emphasizes the covert nature of watching someone or something.

Caught a glimpse

Suggests a brief and incomplete view, perhaps unintentionally.

FAQs

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

You can use "stole a glance" to describe someone looking quickly and discreetly at something or someone. For example: "She "stole a glance" at her watch, worried she was late."

What's a more formal alternative to "stole a glance"?

In formal writing, consider using "observed" or "briefly looked" as alternatives to "stole a glance" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it correct to say "steal a glance" or "stole a glance"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Steal a glance" is present tense, while "stole a glance" is past tense. For example, "I often "steal a glance" at the stars" (present), versus "I "stole a glance" at the menu" (past).

What does it mean to say someone "stole a glance"?

When someone "stole a glance", it means they looked at something or someone quickly and secretly, often because they were curious or shouldn't have been looking. It implies a sense of furtiveness or discretion.