Phrasal verb
sneak out
Definition
phrasal verb. to leave a place quietly and secretly so that no one notices you.
phrasal verb. to depart a location stealthily or surreptitiously to avoid detection. The verb is intransitive in this sense, though it can take a prepositional phrase to indicate the point of exit.
Examples
“I tried to sneak out of the house after midnight.”
“The meeting was so boring that he decided to sneak out through the back door while the boss was talking.”
“Under the cover of darkness, the prisoners managed to sneak out of the barracks and reach the perimeter fence undetected.”
Examples
simple
“I tried to sneak out of the house after midnight.”
contextual
“The meeting was so boring that he decided to sneak out through the back door while the boss was talking.”
complex
“Under the cover of darkness, the prisoners managed to sneak out of the barracks and reach the perimeter fence undetected.”
Usage
often used with 'of' followed by a location like a room, house, or meeting.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'slip out', which is similar but less focused on the 'sneaky' or deceptive intent; 'sneak out' implies you are doing something you shouldn't.
Pitfall
He sneaked out the room.
He sneaked out of the room.
when followed by a specific location, the preposition 'of' is required to connect the phrasal verb to the noun.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
sneak + out
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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