At First Glance – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever seen something that looked simple, but was actually complex? Your initial impression was at first glance. This common idiom describes an opinion or judgment formed from a quick look, before you have examined something carefully. Learning at first glance will help you talk about first impressions and how they can change.
What Does “At First Glance” Mean?
“At first glance” means based on an initial, quick look or impression. It suggests that your first opinion might not be completely accurate after you look more closely.
Think of it like this: You see a person from across the street and think it’s your friend. But at first glance, you might be wrong. When you get closer, you see it’s a stranger.
Remember, it is used to introduce an initial impression that may later be corrected.
When to Use It
You can use this idiom when describing initial reactions in many situations.
- Appearances: “At first glance, the house looked small, but it was very spacious inside.”
- Problems: “The math problem seemed easy at first glance, but it was tricky.”
- People: “He seemed shy at first glance, but he’s actually very outgoing.”
The tone is observational and neutral. It is common in both informal and formal English.
Example Sentences
- At first glance, the two products look identical.
- The solution seemed perfect at first glance.
- At first glance, I thought the document was complete, but a page was missing.
- It looked like a simple mistake at first glance, but it caused major problems.
Mini Dialogue
Lisa: “What did you think of the new employee?”
Mark: “At first glance, he seemed very quiet. But in the meeting, he had so many great ideas.”
Lisa: “Yes, first impressions can be misleading.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The main mistake is confusing “at first glance” with “at first.” “At first” refers to the beginning of a period of time, while “at first glance” refers specifically to a quick visual impression.
❌ Don’t say: “At first glance I didn’t like my job, but now I do.” (This refers to a period of time, not a quick look).
✅ Do say: “At first, I didn’t like my job, but now I do.” OR “At first glance, the office seemed disorganized.”
Practice Tip
The next time you see something new, form a quick opinion. Then say to yourself, “At first glance, it seems…” This will help you practice the phrase in a real context.
Final Note
This is a useful phrase for discussing first impressions and the importance of looking deeper. It reminds us that things are not always as they initially appear. Use it to sound more thoughtful and observant in your conversations!
