sneak
6 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of SNEAK
1
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[no object]
:
to move quietly and secretly in order to avoid being noticed
-
They tried to sneak into the movie without paying.
-
As a teenager she would sneak out (of her house/apartment) at night to visit her boyfriend.
-
He sneaked [=crept] past the guard.
2
[+ object]
:
to take or bring (something) secretly and often quickly
-
She sneaked some cigars through customs.
-
He snuck a few cookies out of the jar while his mother wasn't looking.
-
They caught him trying to sneak food into the theater.
-
I sneaked a note to my friend in class. = I sneaked my friend a note in class.
-
I'm going to sneak a smoke. [=I'm going to smoke a cigarette while nobody is watching]
-
I was caught sneaking a look [=secretly looking] at my Christmas presents.
-
Can I sneak a peek at your quiz answers?
3
[no object]
British, old-fashioned
:
to tell someone (such as a parent or teacher) about something wrong that someone else has done
-
I got in trouble after she sneaked [=squealed, (chiefly US) tattled] on me.
sneak up on
[phrasal verb]
1
sneak up on (someone)
:
to approach (someone) quietly and secretly in order to avoid being noticed
-
My father likes to sneak up on my mother and tickle her.
-
Don't sneak up on me like that!
2
:
to approach, happen, or develop without being noticed
-
My birthday really snuck up on me this year.
-
This kind of problem can sneak up on you if you're not attentive.
2
sneak
/ˈsniːk/
noun
plural
sneaks
2
sneak
/ˈsniːk/
noun
plural
sneaks
Britannica Dictionary definition of SNEAK
[count]
1
US, informal
:
a person who acts in a secret and usually dishonest way
-
What a rotten sneak! I should have known not to trust her.
2
3
3
sneak
/ˈsniːk/
adjective
3
sneak
/ˈsniːk/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of SNEAK
always used before a noun
:
done while others are not paying attention
-
a sneak [=surprise] attack
-
She took a sneak peek [=a secret look] at the birthday presents hidden in the closet.
