Grammar fix

catch a glimpse

see briefly

to see someone or something for a very short moment, often by chance.

collocationB1occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

I managed to catch a glimpse of the famous actor as he left the restaurant.daily life
During my trip to London, I caught a glimpse of the Queen as her car passed by, which was a very exciting moment for me.IELTS speaking

Pattern: catch a glimpse (of someone/something)

WrongI caught a glimpse on the singer.

RightI caught a glimpse of the singer.

'A glimpse OF something', not 'on'.

Patterncatch a glimpse (of someone/something)

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff I momentarily perceived a fleeting visual impression of her.

Natural I caught a glimpse of her in the crowd.

'Momentarily perceived a fleeting visual impression' is absurdly formal; 'caught a glimpse of' is normal.

Words that usually travel with it.

Different from 'look at', which means to look directly and for a longer time.