sneaked through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sneaked through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone moving quietly or stealthily through a place, often to avoid being noticed. Example: "He sneaked through the back door to avoid waking anyone up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It was sneaked through.

The New York Times

"Fortunately, it sneaked through".

The New York Times - Sports

Still, Gingrich the Grandiloquent sneaked through.

The New York Times

Hardly "last-minute" and hardly "sneaked" through.

The Guardian

Somehow it has been sneaked through".

The Guardian - Tech

I'm glad motifs sneaked through the connotation filter.

The New York Times - Science

I sneaked through a fire exit and headed straight to the airport.

Independent

But some demonstrators sneaked through the lines, throwing stones and empty bottles at the Israelis.

The New York Times

Mr. Miller dismissed criticisms from residents that the project somehow sneaked through a loophole.

The New York Times

"He sneaked through lovely and is a very good stayer," the trainer said.

The Guardian - Sport

Liverpool sneaked through to the Worthington Cup quarter-finals despite another night of defensive horror.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sneaked through" to describe actions that involve stealth or avoiding detection, whether in a literal or figurative sense. For instance, use it to depict someone secretly entering a building, or a bill passing through legislation unnoticed.

Common error

Avoid using "sneaked through" in situations where transparency is expected or required. Using it incorrectly might imply deception or a lack of proper procedure, which could be inappropriate in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sneaked through" is as a phrasal verb, functioning as the predicate of a clause. It describes an action of moving stealthily and often unnoticed. Examples provided by Ludwig show its versatile usage in various contexts from sports to politics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Sports

22%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "sneaked through" is a versatile and frequently used term that describes an action of moving stealthily, often unnoticed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and sports reporting. When using "sneaked through", be mindful of its connotation of stealth and potential lack of transparency, especially in formal contexts. Alternatives such as "slipped past" or "passed unnoticed" can provide a more neutral tone when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slipped past

Focuses on avoiding detection while moving.

crept through

Emphasizes slow, cautious movement to avoid notice.

squeezed through

Highlights the act of passing through a narrow space.

passed unnoticed

Indicates something went by without being observed.

got by

Suggests managing to succeed or pass a requirement with minimal effort.

maneuvered through

Implies skillful or strategic navigation through obstacles.

wormed its way through

Describes a twisting or indirect path, often implying difficulty.

infiltrated

Describes secretly entering a place or organization.

percolated through

Describes a slow process of spreading or becoming known.

tiptoed through

Emphasizes quiet and careful movement, usually to avoid disturbing someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "sneaked through" to describe someone or something that moved quietly and secretly, such as "He "sneaked through" the back door to avoid being seen", or to indicate something that passed unnoticed, like "The bill "sneaked through" the committee without much debate".

What are some alternatives to "sneaked through"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "slipped past", "crept through", or "passed unnoticed".

Is it appropriate to use "sneaked through" in formal writing?

While "sneaked through" is generally acceptable, it can sometimes imply a lack of transparency. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "passed unnoticed" or "was approved" to maintain a more neutral tone.

What's the difference between "sneaked through" and "slipped through"?

"Sneaked through" often implies a deliberate attempt to avoid detection, while "slipped through" suggests something happened without being noticed, often unintentionally. Both describe a subtle passage but with different nuances.