1. Rumwriter

    Rumwriter Active Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2011
    Messages:
    304
    Likes Received:
    25

    "peek" vs "take a peek"

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Rumwriter, Dec 11, 2014.

    Is there a subtle difference here, or can we safely eliminate some words. For instance:

    "I stepped inside to take a peek at the work being done."

    VS

    "I stepped inside to peek at the work being done."
     
  2. BayView

    BayView Huh. Interesting. Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    10,462
    Likes Received:
    11,689
    I think there's a slightly rougher connotation with "take a peek", maybe? Like, I'm trying to imagine a tough action hero type "peeking" at something. I can't. "Take a peek" isn't a lot more butch, to me, but I think a little.
     
    Wreybies likes this.
  3. Bjørnar Munkerud

    Bjørnar Munkerud Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2012
    Messages:
    477
    Likes Received:
    275
    Location:
    Oslo, Norway
    To me taking a peek sounds like you're doing it for a much shorter period of time. When you peeking, you're standing there looking at whatever for an indeterminate period of time, whereas when you take a peek, it sounds like you're just turning the corner and/or getting however close you need to be and just check up on what the place looks like before heading back. This can be clarified by substituting the word "peek" with another, such as "look": if you take a look at something you're just doing it to check up on it or otherwise doing it only for as brief a moment as possible, while if you look at something you're doing that as long as you want to or until you're allowed to leave or whatever.

    So I say that if it's a routine or whatever thing that is something you can do practically instantly it should be "take a peek" and that if it's an ongoing activity where you stand somewhere and observe until you see something that is due to happen or just for whatever amount of time you have on your hands it should simply be "peek" (of course the truth in your situation is probably somewhere in between, and then you have to choose which relates the situation most accurately).
     
  4. ChickenFreak

    ChickenFreak Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2010
    Messages:
    15,262
    Likes Received:
    13,084
    Oddly, I had the opposite reaction--"take a peek" seems cuter and more pink-ruffly than "peek." But they both seem pretty cutest; it might be better to find a completely different phrase.
     
  5. Shadowfax

    Shadowfax Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2014
    Messages:
    3,420
    Likes Received:
    1,991
    My perception of peeking is that it's a bit surreptitious, like peeking at what a neighbouring commuter is playing on their tablet.

    I'd agree with Bjørnar Munkerud that taking a peek implies a quicker action, though peeking doesn't seem to be much longer.

    Neither action seems very action hero.

    How about "Sneaking a look"?
     
  6. SwampDog

    SwampDog Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2013
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    109
    Location:
    Back in Blighty
    To take a peek may imply a quick look e.g. to see if a new window has been fitted or that no-one is slacking, whereas to peek would be to observe progress for a short while and watch a few tiles being cemented down.

    If the length of the peek is not crucial, leave out 'to take' in order to cut out superfluous words.
     
    Bjørnar Munkerud likes this.

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice