# on the sly

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/on-the-sly
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- He eats snacks on the sly when he is on a diet.
- The employees were using their phones on the sly during the long meeting, hoping the manager would not notice.
- 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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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.