take a glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

"take a glimpse" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a quick, short look at something, or to refer to something that was seen for a short amount of time without really focusing on it. For example, "I only had time to take a glimpse at the new painting before I had to leave."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

To understand why, let's take a glimpse into the future.

The New York Times

When the real world is light enough, people can take a glimpse of darkness - in the dark of the cinema.

The Guardian

But we still wanted the chance to take a glimpse inside this lake and get an idea of what its inhabitants look like.

The New York Times

A trailer, remarkably, is already in existence, promising: "You've seen the outside, now take a glimpse of what it was like inside".

The Guardian - Film

We take a glimpse at the financial accounts of four private schools – Eton College, Harrow school, Wellington College and Charterhouse – as published on the Charity Commission website.

The Guardian

On page 4 we examine the impact Apple's iPhone has had on the mobile industry and take a glimpse into a future that has already arrived in Japan.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

"I looked up and took a glimpse of her eyes, and she looked at me.

The Guardian

Those panicking parents may intuitively know what is on the line with those first jobs, even if their children insist they're perfectly busy, what with maintaining their Twitter feed and occasionally taking a glimpse at Monster.com.

The New York Times

If students took a glimpse at the local newspapers, they would see articles about the retired army general tortured and killed on a road leading out of town last month.

The New York Times

Chief design officer Benedikt Lehnert is enthusiastic about the potential for "discreet and personal" interactions "whether it's taking a glimpse at a reminder while you're in a meeting, or checking things off your grocery list while pushing the shopping cart".

The Guardian - Tech

'If we buy into you, and spend our hard-earned money on hearing your story, we wanna feel like we're taking a glimpse into your life, and understand how vulnerable you are, how emotional you are, what your obstacles are and how you overcame them.' I have a responsibility both ways – to be an incredible man, but also to be very artistic and open.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a glimpse" when you want to convey a brief or cursory look, often implying that the view was incomplete or fleeting. For example, "I only had time to "take a glimpse" of the exhibit before my tour group moved on."

Common error

While "take a glimpse" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing where more precise language may be preferred. Instead of "take a glimpse", consider using more descriptive verbs like "observe", "examine", or "scrutinize", depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

Take a glimpse functions as an idiomatic phrase indicating a brief or cursory look. Ludwig AI shows its usage across various contexts, suggesting a common way to describe a quick observation without detailed examination. The phrase often implies a fleeting or incomplete view.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a glimpse" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe briefly looking at something. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. While acceptable in many situations, it's advisable to use more precise language in formal academic writing. Consider alternatives like "catch a glimpse" or "get a glimpse" for similar meanings. When writing, remember that "take a glimpse" implies a fleeting or incomplete view, suitable for gaining a quick impression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch a glimpse

Uses "catch" instead of "take", emphasizing the fleeting nature of the view.

get a glimpse

Replaces "take" with "get", suggesting obtaining a brief view.

have a peek

Uses "peek" instead of "glimpse", indicating a quick and furtive look.

take a peek

Synonymous replacement of "glimpse" with "peek".

take a quick look

Replaces "glimpse" with a more general term "quick look", focusing on the speed of the action.

take a brief look

Similar to "take a quick look", but emphasizes the short duration of the view.

glance at

A more concise way to express the action of briefly looking.

have a glance

Alternative of "glance at", using "have".

cast an eye

An idiomatic alternative, suggesting a quick and often casual look.

steal a glance

Implies a secretive or surreptitious quick look.

FAQs

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

You can use "take a glimpse" to describe briefly looking at something. For example, "Let's "take a glimpse" at the data to see if there are any trends." or "I wanted to "take a glimpse" at the ocean before heading home."

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

You can use alternatives like "catch a glimpse", "get a glimpse", or "have a peek" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "take a glimpse" or "get a glimpse"?

Both "take a glimpse" and "get a glimpse" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "take a glimpse" and "take a quick look"?

"Take a glimpse" implies a very brief and often incomplete view, while "take a quick look" suggests a slightly more intentional and focused, although still brief, observation.