at first glance

at first glance

1. (modal) After only a superficial examination or review.

   At first glance it seems to be a reasonable idea. But we'll see.

   • 2007 August 18, Oliver Burkeman, “Feel good, feel bad”, in The Guardian:

     At first glance, thinking well of yourself seems obviously preferable to thinking poorly of yourself. But the problem with […]

   • 2023 November 13, Rosalind Jana, “Saltburn and the bizarre life of Britain's stately homes”, in BBC‎:

     At first glance, Saltburn is classic clash-of-the-classes fare: a tale of social strata, moral vacuity and the seductions of wealth, with a poor boy ushered into his rich friend's kingdom.

• at first blush, at first sight, on the face of it; see also Thesaurus:ostensibly

• at a glance
• glance