take a quick look at

USAGE SUMMARY

"take a quick look at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a short examination or inspection of something. For example, "Let's take a quick look at this graphic to see how our sales have been doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I take a quick look at the numbers.

The Economist

So let's take a quick look at the economics.

Cornell University

We take a quick look at their international policies.

The Guardian

"Should we take a quick look at the fort?" Tony asked.

The New Yorker

And all a fund manager need do is take a quick look at the map.

The Economist

So, let's take a quick look at BLS data on employment and wages.

The New York Times

Finally, I guess, we'll take a quick look at student satisfaction.

Cornell University

Let's take a quick look at the principles that will define our pasture soil management practices.

Cornell University

Take a quick look at a slightly used version of the same car before you buy.

The Washington Post

Take a quick look at MyLowe's and P&G's Pampers sites.

Harvard Business Review

Let's just take a quick look at how women fared in the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a quick look at" when you want to suggest a brief examination without delving into extensive detail.

Common error

Avoid using "take a quick look at" repeatedly in close succession. Vary your language by using synonyms like "scan", "glance at", or "review" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a quick look at" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce a brief examination or review. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

23%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a quick look at" is a common and correct way to introduce a brief examination of something. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While versatile, avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms like "scan" or "glance at". Remember, "quick" emphasizes brevity. It appears most frequently in news and media, reflecting its accessibility and utility. In essence, this phrase serves as a handy tool for directing attention without promising an exhaustive analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

glance over

Implies a very brief and often superficial look.

scan through

Suggests a rapid but possibly comprehensive review to find specific information.

skim through

Similar to scan, but with a lighter touch, focusing on main points.

check out

A more informal way to say look at, often used in casual conversation.

browse through

Indicates a casual and unstructured exploration.

have a peek at

Suggests a quick and often secretive look.

flick through

Often used when quickly looking through pages of a book or magazine.

peruse

A more formal term for reading or examining carefully, though still relatively quickly.

leaf through

Similar to flick through, implying a casual browsing of pages.

run through

Implies a swift review or rehearsal.

FAQs

What does "take a quick look at" mean?

It means to examine something briefly and rapidly, without going into deep detail. It implies a superficial or preliminary inspection.

What can I say instead of "take a quick look at"?

You can use alternatives like "glance over", "scan through", or "skim through" depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "take a quick look at"?

The phrase is generally considered neutral in formality and suitable for most contexts, though it might be replaced with a more formal synonym like "peruse" in highly professional or academic settings.

Is there a difference between "take a quick look at" and "take a look at"?

Yes, adding "quick" emphasizes the brevity of the examination. "Take a look at" implies a more general observation, while "take a quick look at" specifies that it should be done rapidly.