glimpse1 nounglimpse2 verb
glimpseglimpse1 /ɡlɪmps/ ●○○ noun [countable] 
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- But viewers in Britain are unlikely to get a glimpse of Linda's high-rise exploits.
- He sent home letters and telegrams that give us a glimpse behind the facade of the official portrait: Loved the ladies.
- It is a glimpse into the future.
- It was as if she'd been given a glimpse of paradise, and then had it barred to her for ever.
- No one ever caught a glimpse of his furrowed face smiling over innocent pleasantries.
- Still, a glimpse into the medical industry as it existed 100 years back just might temper your view.
- There are glimpses of Mengele joking with the children, taking them on outings, hugging them.
- This year it is different, and well worth catching a glimpse of the latest from the world's car makers.
THESAURUS
an act of looking at something: · Let me have a look at the map.· I took a quick look around the room.
a quick look at something before looking away again: · Susan cast a quick glance at me (=she looked quickly at me).· He could not resist a sidelong glance (=quickly looking to the side) to see what was happening on the other side of the road.
a short look at someone or something in which you do not see them very clearly: · Fans were hoping to catch a glimpse of the singer as he left the hotel.· I had only a fleeting glimpse (=a very quick look) of the two men as they ran away.
a long steady look: · Eddie fixed his gaze on the floor.· She looked up and met his gaze (=looked at him when he was looking at her).
a long direct look, especially in an unfriendly way or in a way that shows you are surprised: · He was watching me with a cold stare.· My cheery ‘Good Morning’ was met with a blank stare (=a stare which shows no emotion).
an angry look at someone: · She gave him a hostile glare as he entered the room.
a confused or annoyed look: · ‘Anyway,’ she said with a frown, ‘I don’t see how there could be a connection.’
Longman Language Activatorto see someone or something · I saw your brother in town this morning.· Have you seen my pen anywhere?· If you see either of these men, inform the police immediately.· Did you see a white van parked out here earlier today?· When did you last see your dog?see somebody doing something · I saw Matt coming out of the cinema with Jane.· I first saw her feeding the ducks in the park.see somebody do something · She saw him get into a Porsche driven by a dark-haired woman.· I didn't see her arrive because I had my back turned.see who/what/where etc · It was too dark for her to see who the woman was.· Have you seen what Jake's done to his bedroom?can see somebody/something · Shh! I can see someone moving in the bushes.see something with your own eyes (=see something or someone yourself, especially something strange or surprising) · 'How do you know it's true?' 'Because I saw it with my own eyes!'
especially written to see someone or something for only a very short time, and not very clearly: · Rick caught sight of the driver's face as the car raced by.· Lynn caught a brief glimpse of herself in the mirror.
to suddenly see someone or something that you have been looking for, or something interesting or unusual: · A resident spotted a man sitting in his car watching the explosion and notified the police.· He was spotted in the Manhattan area in mid-May.· I spotted this article about it in the paper.
also clap eyes on British to see someone or something -- use this either when talking about the time when you first saw them, or when saying strongly that you have never seen them or never want to see them again: · This was the woman he was going to marry -- he knew it the moment he set eyes on her.· I'd never clapped eyes on the guy before in my life.· I hoped we would never set eyes on one another again.
to see something happen, especially an accident, a crime, or an important event: · Police are appealing for information from anyone who witnessed the attack.· The crash was witnessed by millions of viewers who were watching the race on TV.
especially written to suddenly see something or someone from a long distance, especially when you have been looking for a long time: · The missing boys were sighted by a rescue helicopter.· At least ten birds have been sighted feeding on the lake this year.· We sighted a fishing boat in the distance.
to be able to see someone or something clearly, even though you see them for only a very short time: get a good/proper look (at): · Hold it up to the light so I can get a proper look at it.· I don't think I could identify him. I didn't really get a good look.get a better look (at): · She stood on her toes to get a better look.get a close look (at): · I didn't get a close look at the driver, but I think he was middle-aged.· We drove into the prohibited zone, to get a closer look.
also see at first hand British if you see first hand something that is happening, you see it yourself, rather than being told about it by someone else: · Travelling in rural Thailand, I saw first hand the devastating effects of economic reform. · Central News has been to South America to see at first hand the lives that Oxfam hopes to improve.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
They caught a glimpse of a dark green car. I caught a fleeting glimpse of them as they drove past.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
They caught a glimpse of a dark green car. (=a very short look) We only had a fleeting glimpse of the river.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We only had a fleeting glimpse of the river. (=a sight of something that lasts for a short time)· From the train I had a brief glimpse of the city.
I caught a fleeting glimpse of them as they drove past.· The Ediacaran fossils, however, provide only a brief isolated glimpse of the progress of the invertebrates.· How could I not resent some stupid clouds robbing me of my one, brief glimpse of eternity?· Shadowy shapes changed position, flying noiselessly, giving brief glimpses.· But even in that brief glimpse, Müller was certain that he was deceiving her.· Most of them returned after a brief and long-awaited glimpse at the West.· There may be only brief glimpses of the rabbit and it must be shot quickly and accurately or the opportunity is lost.· Just a brief glimpse ofa white coat then all is done from behind.· The brief glimpse of family lives during the Easter holidays at Dinard had shrivelled into a dream.
· This approach also gives us fascinating glimpses of the fallibility of great scientists.
· Rory had only seen fleeting glimpses of it, but enough to know it was there.· As Delaney and Forster hit the deck they caught a fleeting glimpse of the crazed man going for it again.· That smile had afforded her a fleeting glimpse of another side of Adam Burns - a side that was warm and humorous.· As I set off I had a fleeting glimpse of the leer of pure delight on Simkin's face.
· This eastern aspect is pleasant but, apart from occasional glimpses of the river, promises nothing that warrants close attention.· There were occasional glimpses of very green countryside.· The late prose shows occasional glimpses of themes discussed earlier.
· There has to be another ingredient - the spark and the quick glimpse of something new.· To his left he caught a quick glimpse of Mrs Melver, their irascible neighbour, peering at him over the fence.
· Small things still gave us hope and the rare glimpses of colour we saw took on an almost spiritual quality.· For the public, a rare glimpse into a closed world.· This scene may give a rare glimpse of Charles's personal style as king.· By describing her dismissal Leapor provides a rare glimpse of eighteenth century employment.· It provided a rare glimpse into the frank, private word of high-level diplomacy.
· This was my first tantalising glimpse of the Hebrides.· Princess Anne yesterday gave a tantalising glimpse of the ring - without meaning to.· And because they've been given a tantalising series of glimpses of a fuller life, they're aware and starving.
VERB· The letters of Abbot Lupus of Ferrières allow us a glimpse of his contradictory attitudes to involvement in state affairs.· Otherwise, two detailed reports of the mid-1950s allow us a glimpse of more usual branch activity.
· It was that same look she had caught a glimpse of earlier.· As she turned to go, Baby Suggs caught a glimpse of some-thing dark on the bed sheet.· And as quickly as that passed his mind, he caught another glimpse of the serenity that sometimes came to him lately.· The crowds paraded in front of the Tombs to catch a glimpse of Hicks.· But Gabriel caught one glimpse of milky-white eyes that looked stone blind.· Above them were fields of blazing stars and on some of the curves Marge caught a glimpse of moonlight on rolling surf.· He cut across to the Maiden, hoping to catch another glimpse of Angela.· Perhaps I might catch a glimpse of Frank.
· If you then loop the curtains back you will get glimpses of the new lining, which will give it fresh interest.· He got more glimpses of backstage life, but it was what happened onstage that gripped his imagination.· As a matter of fact, I came up on deck to get my first glimpse of the island.· But this lady saw me fiddling about in my pocket and she got a glimpse of Radish.· Gordy got a glimpse of Junior through the crowd.· Alternatively, you can get a glimpse of life in the country homes of the upper classes.· He got glimpses of marbled halls.
· But it gives us a glimpse into the character of John.· He sent home letters and telegrams that give us a glimpse behind the facade of the official portrait: Loved the ladies.· A minor episode gives a glimpse of the ethics involved.· Because of its position, it gives us our first glimpse of history there.· It was as if she'd been given a glimpse of paradise, and then had it barred to her for ever.· The investigations give a glimpse into the problems the Sheriff's Office had with policing the popular dance club.· Shadowy shapes changed position, flying noiselessly, giving brief glimpses.· The school gave Daley his first glimpse of institutional segregation.
· And there's a movie star's fame - a mob outside your hotel hoping to catch a glimpse of you leaving.· Over the next few weeks, Blue returns to the post office several times, hoping to catch another glimpse of White.· He cut across to the Maiden, hoping to catch another glimpse of Angela.· Small things still gave us hope and the rare glimpses of colour we saw took on an almost spiritual quality.· All the time she watched the passing crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of one certain face.· But still they come, and wait, hoping for a glimpse of Clint as he walks to lunch.· Local ranchers and townsfolk would gather about the set hoping to catch a glimpse of the stars.
· It offers mini-glimpses that startle.· Anecdotes provided by his friends and colleagues in the days following his death offer a glimpse into his life.· Sussex gardens offer a glimpse of sheep, while Norfolk gardens go one better with hydraulic rams!· Coleridge is offered a glimpse of the power of what true creation is like.· Most of all, Huston offers a glimpse of how talent, craft and character meld in her work.· As Wilson announced his withdrawal, he offered a glimpse of how he would like to like to see himself.· Occasionally, though, television offers a few glimpses of people who have developed very deep mastery, become real craftsmen.
· But the sonnet also provides a glimpse into the dilemmas of identity the Renaissance articulated.· The Brookings analysis provides a revealing glimpse at our national productivity scoreboard.· Yet appearances on other people's record dates provide a tantalizing glimpse of what he had to offer.· By describing her dismissal Leapor provides a rare glimpse of eighteenth century employment.· It provided a rare glimpse into the frank, private word of high-level diplomacy.
· Craning my neck, I eyed the rubber flaps anxiously as they parted to reveal a glimpse of daylight.· Nature is full of icons or images that reveal glimpses into another world.· Getty Center reveals itself in tantalizing glimpses.· The Brookings analysis provides a revealing glimpse at our national productivity scoreboard.
· It had collapsed in on itself and only the partially covered base remained to show a glimpse of its former beauty.· Dollar, limited for two months by a hand injury, has shown glimpses of becoming that figure.· The late prose shows occasional glimpses of themes discussed earlier.· One room he showed me only a glimpse of, a lumber-room.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1a quick look at someone or something that does not allow you to see them clearlyglimpse of- As she turned to go, Baby Suggs caught a glimpse of some-thing dark on the bed sheet.
- As they rode cautiously along, Fenella caught glimpses of movement in between the trees.
- Back on the main road, Robert caught a glimpse of Aziz the janitor.
- He caught a glimpse of a pinup calendar above a dressing table, some bars of Lifebuoy soap.
- In the warm yellow light of the dining car windows I caught a glimpse of a woman raising a wine glass.
- Many had waited for hours to catch a glimpse of him.
- Sometimes I had caught glimpses of his shadow on the wall.
- This year it is different, and well worth catching a glimpse of the latest from the world's car makers.
They caught a glimpse of a dark green car.brief/fleeting/quick glimpse (=a very short look) We only had a fleeting glimpse of the river.2a short experience of something that helps you begin to understand itglimpse of/into/at a glimpse of what life might be like in the futureglimpse1 nounglimpse2 verb
glimpseglimpse2 verb [transitive] WORD ORIGINglimpse2
Origin:
1300-1400 Perhaps from an unrecorded Old English glimsianVERB TABLE
glimpse
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | glimpse |
| he, she, it | glimpses | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | glimpsed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have glimpsed |
| he, she, it | has glimpsed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had glimpsed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will glimpse |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have glimpsed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am glimpsing |
| he, she, it | is glimpsing | |
| you, we, they | are glimpsing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was glimpsing |
| you, we, they | were glimpsing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been glimpsing |
| he, she, it | has been glimpsing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been glimpsing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be glimpsing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been glimpsing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- From the corner of my eye, I glimpsed a man running out of the store.
- He glimpsed the despair that she must have felt.
- His heart hammered in terror as he glimpsed those shaggy, hulking shapes of shadowy grey speeding across the meadows.
- Male speaker I glimpsed the van going into reverse.
- Omally, startled by the cry, leapt from his seat, and glimpsed Pooley's dire predicament.
- Satellites in low-earth orbit glimpse only fragments of the planet.
- She glimpsed them as they passed the tavern.
- There were two servants still: the woman he had glimpsed, and a steward more frail and more sullen.
- This show examines evidence both pro and con, and glimpses the future of Mars research.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES I caught a fleeting glimpse of them as they drove past.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
(=a sight of something that lasts for a short time)· From the train I had a brief glimpse of the city.
I caught a fleeting glimpse of them as they drove past.· Are you aware of your own beauty, or do you only glimpse it through the acknowledgement of others?· Satellites in low-earth orbit glimpse only fragments of the planet.· Yet numbers only glimpse at the Bradman legend.· I imagined they told stories of bloody secrets that could be glimpsed only beneath the shine of the brass frames.· He knew that those who are not parents only glimpse the awful forces at work.
NOUN· I glimpsed Mathilda's white face then ran into the gallery, pushing open the door to the solar.· Lady Francesca smiled and simpered but, when she glimpsed me, her face became as hard as stone.· Claudia glimpsed Myra's interested face before he closed the door.
VERB· Only as the car approached them did Ludens think he glimpsed a figure standing in the shade under a tree.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1to see someone or something for a moment without getting a complete view of them SYN catch sight of: - As she turned to go, Baby Suggs caught a glimpse of some-thing dark on the bed sheet.
- As they rode cautiously along, Fenella caught glimpses of movement in between the trees.
- Back on the main road, Robert caught a glimpse of Aziz the janitor.
- He caught a glimpse of a pinup calendar above a dressing table, some bars of Lifebuoy soap.
- In the warm yellow light of the dining car windows I caught a glimpse of a woman raising a wine glass.
- Many had waited for hours to catch a glimpse of him.
- Sometimes I had caught glimpses of his shadow on the wall.
- This year it is different, and well worth catching a glimpse of the latest from the world's car makers.
I glimpsed a figure at the window.RegisterIn everyday English, people often say catch sight of somebody/something rather than glimpse somebody/something: · I caught sight of him as he was getting into his car.2to begin to understand something for a moment: For the first time she glimpsed the truth about her sister.