sneaked off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sneaked off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone leaving a place quietly or secretly, often to avoid being noticed. Example: "After the party got too loud, she sneaked off to the quiet garden for some fresh air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I sneaked off to call my cousin.

The New York Times

Quantrill sneaked off and took grounders anyway.

The New York Times - Sports

Some late nights she had sneaked off with Nana's car.

The New Yorker

Instead, he sneaked off to Manhattan for open-mic nights.

The New York Times - Sports

My husband and I sneaked off to the Hemingway Bar.

The New York Times

Special agent sneaked off and got in automobile.

The New Yorker

Behind their backs, she sneaked off to church.

The New Yorker

So I sneaked off to the early show of "Unfaithful".

The New York Times

As Ms. Dilley sneaked off for the next run, I followed her.

The New York Times - Travel

Turns out he sneaked off to New York on Wednesday to get married.

The New York Times

She lashed out at her husband for having sneaked off that morning for a cigarette.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sneaked off" to describe a departure that is intended to be quiet or unnoticed. It's useful when the subject wants to avoid drawing attention to themselves.

Common error

While "snuck" is commonly used as the past tense of "sneak" in informal contexts, "sneaked" is generally preferred in more formal writing. Using "snuck off" may be perceived as less professional in academic or business settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "sneaked off" functions as an intransitive verb indicating a clandestine or surreptitious departure. As shown by Ludwig, it is frequently used to describe someone leaving a place quietly and without being noticed. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in both personal and professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "sneaked off" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a quiet or secret departure. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While the alternative "snuck off" exists, "sneaked off" is preferred in formal writing. To convey similar meanings, you might consider phrases such as "slipped away", "quietly left", or "stole away". Remember to use "sneaked off" when emphasizing the intention to avoid notice. The high source quality and frequent usage in reputable publications reinforce its reliability and versatility in both descriptive and narrative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slipped away

Implies a smooth, almost unnoticed departure, often to avoid attention.

slipped out

Similar to 'slipped away' but can also imply a brief and quick exit.

secretly departed

Highlights the hidden nature of the leaving, perhaps to avoid confrontation or detection.

stole away

Emphasizes the secrecy and possible guilt or desire to remain undetected during the departure.

stole out

Conveys a clandestine departure, similar to 'stole away' but with a directional emphasis.

crept away

Suggests a slow, careful, and quiet departure, often due to fear or caution.

quietly left

A more general term, simply indicating a departure without noise or fuss.

sidled off

Suggests a subtle and unobtrusive departure, often done in a sideways manner to avoid direct attention.

made off

Suggests a quick and sometimes illicit departure, often implying escape from a situation.

absconded

A more formal term suggesting a hurried and secretive departure, often to avoid legal consequences.

FAQs

What does "sneaked off" mean?

The phrase "sneaked off" means to leave a place quietly or secretly, usually to avoid being noticed.

What can I say instead of "sneaked off"?

You can use alternatives like "slipped away", "quietly left", or "stole away" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "snuck off" instead of "sneaked off"?

While "snuck off" is commonly used, "sneaked off" is generally considered more grammatically correct, especially in formal writing.

How can I use "sneaked off" in a sentence?

You can use "sneaked off" to describe someone leaving discreetly: "During the meeting, he slipped away/ quietly left and "sneaked off" to make a phone call."