first glance
Snap visual judgment
First glance is an initial look or impression, before closer examination reveals more: At first glance, the contract seemed straightforward.
The phrase acknowledges that surfaces can deceive—what appears simple or obvious may prove complex upon further inspection.
First glance suggested she was fine, but something was clearly wrong.
- impressionEffect on the mind
- glimpseFleeting view
- initialName's opening letter
- surfaceOutermost boundary layer
- appearanceOutward visible form
instant · split second · quick · snap · snap judgment · judgment · assumption · gut feeling · look · once over · moment · superficial · hasty · cursory · encounter · meeting · sight · eye
- firstsinitial, beginning, start, opening, original
- Surface-Levelsurface-level, superficial, shallow, skin-deep, veneer
first glanceclose inspection
hard look · deep dive · in-depth analysis · close reading · sustained attention
first glancelast look
Closing visual check
second look · backward glance · lingering look · final inspection
first glancesecond look
Subsequent viewing or review
closer look · final verdict · hindsight · last look · second thought