take a quick glance

USAGE SUMMARY

"take a quick glance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to suggest that someone should look at something quickly. For example, "Take a quick glance at the newspaper before leaving for work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Then take a quick glance at the other when they're looking the other way.

The Guardian - Sport

Winston Churchill's martini recipe set the tone: Pour some gin into a mixing glass, and take a quick glance at an unopened bottle of vermouth.

The New York Times

It's easy for prospective students (or their parents) to take a quick glance at a Web site that says a school is among the top 10 or 20 or 100 in the world.

The New York Times

Research backs this up: it shows that drivers can take a quick glance and select an option safely.

BBC

Let's take a quick glance in the rearview mirror at the year in Tech, before we speed forward again in 2012.

TechCrunch

It gave human traders the chance to just take a quick glance at the rolling news feeds to discover that nothing catastrophic in the wider world seems to have happened, and to think 'well here, perhaps, is buying opportunity.'".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

I took a quick glance and retreated.

The New York Times

Kenny took a quick glance from the kitchen and said, "No, we're closed".

The New Yorker

Violet took a quick glance, nodded, as if a baby in a motel cart were perfectly ordinary.

The New Yorker

We took a quick glance at our guidebook and realized we were in the Piazza del Bargello.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Carville took a quick glance at the menu and ordered: an heirloom tomato tart and striped sea bass with prosciutto.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to perform an action after a quick look, ensure the action is simple and doesn't require extensive analysis.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a quick look provides full understanding. If detailed information is crucial, encourage a more thorough examination instead of just instructing to "take a quick glance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a quick glance" functions as an imperative, urging someone to perform a brief visual inspection. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which validates the expression and shows examples in various contexts. It prompts a cursory assessment rather than a detailed analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a quick glance" is a common and grammatically sound way to suggest a brief look at something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an imperative, directing someone to perform a cursory visual inspection. It’s most frequently found in news, media and wiki contexts, and is appropriate for neutral or informal situations. Remember, while it's useful for getting a general impression, avoid assuming that a quick look provides full comprehension. For more detailed insights and alternative phrasing, refer to the related phrases and usage guidance provided above.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cast a fleeting look

Emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the look.

steal a glance

Suggests a surreptitious or secretive look.

have a peep

Implies a curious or inquisitive look, often brief.

give a once-over

Indicates a quick inspection or assessment.

scan briefly

Focuses on the act of quickly surveying something.

glimpse rapidly

Highlights the speed and incompleteness of the viewing.

peek momentarily

Suggests a very short and often shy or hesitant look.

survey cursorily

Emphasizes the superficial and not detailed nature of the inspection.

check briefly

Implies a quick verification or examination.

run your eyes over

Suggests a smooth, fast movement of the eyes across something.

FAQs

How can I use "take a quick glance" in a sentence?

You can use "take a quick glance" to suggest a brief look. For instance, "Take a quick glance at the instructions before you start assembling the furniture."

What is a good alternative to "take a quick glance"?

Alternatives include "cast a fleeting look", "steal a glance", or "give a once-over", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "take a quick glance" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, it's more suitable for neutral to informal contexts. In highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "briefly examine" or "conduct a cursory review".

What does it mean to "take a quick glance" at something?

It means to look at something briefly and without much attention to detail. It implies a superficial observation rather than a thorough examination.