to catch a glimpse

Examples

• All

• When the car sped by, I only had time to catch a glimpse of the driver before it disappeared around the corner.

• Must I sacrifice a carriage in order to catch a glimpse of you?

  The Sign of the Cross (1932)

• Anyway, in the last few days, I caught a glimpse of the old us.

  RV (2006)

• We caught a glimpse of earth a few months ago...

  Zoe and the Astronaut (2018)

• I caught a glimpse of a third man.

  8MM (1999)

• If you look to your left, you may catch a glimpse of them now.

  Fiction book (1990)

• I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and I look a lot like you.

  Dual (2022)

• A great many people are lined up to catch a glimpse of him.

  Fiction book (1991)

• For an instant, his face opens, and we catch a glimpse into hell itself.

  Fiction book (1991)

• And all of a sudden you catch a glimpse of a bird that's really interesting.

Synonyms

G

to glance

vsto catch a glimpse

299 1.5

To look quickly at someone or something

is shorter and more partial, not a deliberate quick look

G

to glance at

vsto catch a glimpse

150 2.0

Look quickly at someone or something

is even briefer and often only shows part of the sight

P

to peek

vsto catch a glimpse

119 1.1

To look quickly and secretly at something

shares shortness but is less about secrecy and more about partial seeing

G

to get a look

vsto catch a glimpse

88 2.8

To see someone or something for a short time

stresses an even briefer or more partial view instead of a brief look

L

to lay eyes on

vsto catch a glimpse

• Informal

59 3.7

To see someone or something for the first time after a long time

involves the same short seeing but does not stress first or long absence

G

to glimpse

vsto catch a glimpse

41 3.2

To see someone or something for a very short time

is the same short, partial seeing action rather than a longer look

P

to peep

vsto catch a glimpse

30 3.2

To look quickly and secretly at something you are not supposed to see

matches briefness sometimes but lacks the secretive or caused appearance element

S

to sight

vsto catch a glimpse

26 2.8

To suddenly see something for a short time

highlights a very short or partial view rather than sudden surprise

C

to catch sight

vsto catch a glimpse

16 3.0

To see something for a short time, usually by chance

focuses more on a very short or partial visual rather than suddenness

C

to catch sight of

vsto catch a glimpse

15 2.4

To see someone or something suddenly and for a short time

emphasizes the extreme brevity or partial view rather than sudden spotting

E

to espy

vsto catch a glimpse

• Archaic

1 9.9

To see something partly or far away

is similar but focuses more on an extremely brief or partial view

C

to clap eyes on

vsto catch a glimpse

• Archaic

1 8.0

To see someone or something for the first time

is similar in noticing but focuses on a very short, partial sighting

T

to throw an eye

vsto catch a glimpse

• UK

7.8

To look quickly at something

is a shorter visual experience often partial rather than a full glance

Antonyms

M

to miss

518 1.7

To not notice or hear something important

How Long

to stare

∞ 1.0

to observe

619 2.4

to see

∞ 1.0

to catch a glimpse

34 3.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology