ENGLISH
REFERENCE

on the sly

idiom
Meaning

Slyly, in an inconspicuous manner, so as not to be seen; secretly; stealthily.


Examples
SIMPLE

He eats snacks on the sly when he is on a diet.

CONTEXTUAL

The employees were using their phones on the sly during the long meeting, hoping the manager would not notice.

COMPLEX

Although the treaty strictly forbade the trade of weapons, the two nations continued to exchange supplies on the sly to avoid international sanctions.

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