on the sly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'on the sly' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to mean something done in secret or without being noticed. For example: He managed to get a copy of the exam paper on the sly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Just ask one of NYPD's finest who recently failed to grab an eyeful on the sly.

Huffington Post

She and Manuel met on the sly.

The New Yorker

"She's my agent on the sly".

The Guardian

Someone's using the oven on the sly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Concerts are held on the sly.

The New York Times

Now, we must do this on the sly.

The New Yorker

They bring in live-in partners on the sly.

The New York Times

But you may not do this on the sly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Had corporations taken over governments on the sly?

The Guardian

Could he be a terrorist on the sly?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Oh, and you must check his serene on-the-sly reworking of the Amelie theme.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on the sly", ensure that the context makes it clear who or what is being hidden from. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "on the sly" interchangeably with phrases that imply deception or illegality when those aspects aren't present. "On the sly" simply indicates secrecy, not necessarily wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the sly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that the action is done secretly or discreetly, avoiding attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the sly" is an adverbial phrase indicating that something is done secretly or discreetly. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal register. While there are more formal synonyms, "on the sly" provides a clear and concise way to describe actions done in a secretive manner. When employing "on the sly", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who is being hidden from, and consider the formality of your audience to select the most appropriate term. The examples found by Ludwig show the versatility of this phrase in various real-world scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secretly

Single-word adverb emphasizing hidden action.

furtively

Emphasizes a sense of guilt or fear in the secret action.

covertly

Suggests a planned and strategic approach to secrecy.

surreptitiously

Formal and emphasizes avoiding detection.

clandestinely

Implies an illegal or forbidden nature to the secret action.

on the quiet

More informal, suggesting discretion within a group.

under the radar

Emphasizes avoiding attention or notice.

behind someone's back

Focuses on the betrayal aspect of the secret action.

in secret

Simple and direct way of saying something is done privately.

on the down-low

Informal slang suggesting secrecy, often with romantic connotations.

FAQs

What does "on the sly" mean?

"On the sly" means doing something secretly or discreetly, often to avoid being noticed or caught.

How can I use "on the sly" in a sentence?

You can use "on the sly" to describe actions done secretly, such as: "He was eating snacks "secretly" during the meeting".

What are some alternatives to saying "on the sly"?

Alternatives include "secretly", "furtively", or "covertly", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "on the sly"?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience. In formal writing, a more sophisticated synonym like "surreptitiously" might be preferable. Slang terms like "on the down-low" may be inappropriate for many contexts.