glimpse

catch a glimpse of (someone or something)

To see someone or something very briefly or suddenly. Wendy only caught a glimpse of the burglar for a second, so she couldn't describe his appearance to the police. I didn't know what the bunny was running from, until I caught a glimpse of the dog that was chasing it.
See also: catch, glimpse, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

catch sight of someone or something

 and catch a glimpse of someone or something
to see someone or something briefly; to get a quick look at someone or something. I caught sight of the plane just before it flew out of sight. Ann caught a glimpse of the robber as he ran out of the bank.
See also: catch, of, sight
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

catch sight of

See suddenly or unexpectedly, as in When I first caught sight of the Alps, I was overwhelmed. [First half of 1800s]
See also: catch, of, sight
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • catch a glimpse of (someone or something)
  • catch sight of
  • catch sight of (someone or something)
  • be caught in the act
  • have (someone) by (something)
  • have by
  • struggle with
  • struggle with (someone or something)
  • in pursuit of
  • in pursuit of (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
She was scanned by Catch a Glimpse on their opening day.
A NEW service offering [...]; THE PAGE YOU WRITE ... EVERY DAY IN YOUR FAVOURITE PAPER ECHO
"Glimpse's technology will deliver compelling AR/VR experiences in-frame and in-context on the revealit platform, transforming shopping into entertainment and giving AR/VR meaningful purpose and context within video."
revealit Signs MOU with The Glimpse Group
United Airlines (UAL) has announced it serving as the exclusive airline partner of Global Glimpse to fly 1,000 high school students from diverse backgrounds from across the U.S.
United Airlines, Global Glimpse partner to fly more than 1,000 students, teachers
These photos offer the first glimpse of crowds getting ready to welcome the Royals to Merseyside this morning.
First pictures of Royal visit to Chester and Mersey Gateway as crowds welcome Meghan Markle; The Royal train will be pulling into Runcorn station soon
EA has been developing an AR content platform, which will be expanded within Glimpse.
Glimpse Group Acquires Early Adopter to Expand AR Platform
Devotees including men, women, youth and children visited the shrine throughout the day to offer prayers and have a glimpse of the holy relic which was displayed after every congregational prayer, KMS reported.
Thousands throng Hazratbal to have glimpse of holy relic
BEIRUT: Many people living in Lebanon flocked to the mountains Friday to catch a glimpse of the famed annual Perseid meteor shower, where as many as 200 meteors per hour can fill the skies.
Lebanese look skyward for stargazing
A Beautiful Planet chronicles the path of the ISS as it traverses the world catching glimpses of Wales by day and night.
N.WALES FROM SPACE
For many it's the start of the Christmas season, and in previous years hundreds of Teessiders have gathered to catch a glimpse of the vehicle.
Hoping for a seasonal visit full of festive fizz?
Now, as the world's most famous cobbler plans to expand his empire into the new superrich markets of Asia, this documentary offers a glimpse into his world.
BEST OF THE BOX BEST OF THE BOX BEST OF THE BOX BEST OF THE BOX
But no Bond film is complete without its trademark Bond girl beauties and the trailer also shows a glimpse of both newcomers - Lea Seydoux as Madeleine Swann, daughter of his old nemesis Mr White, and Monica Bellucci as Lucia Sciarra.
The Spectre of a new Bond film approaches
As if reading my mind, the sales representative said, "It's a little hard to picture how all of this will one day be different but hopefully this glimpse is enough to tease your imagination."
Kingdom acres: 'show home' ecclesiology
NEW pictures taken this week give a glimpse inside the foyer of the redeveloped New Street station with less than a year before the multimillion-pound project is finished.
Inside the new New Street; With less than a year to go, stunning new images give a glimpse of central atrium taking shape at vast regeneration project
GROUPS of screaming fans descended on Tyneside to see a glimpse of their music idols 5 Seconds of Summer.
Adoring fans queue in rain