sneaky suspicion

USAGE SUMMARY

"sneaky suspicion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the feeling that something is not quite right, despite a lack of tangible proof or evidence. For example, "I got a sneaky suspicion that someone was lying to me, but I wasn't sure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

I've got a sneaky suspicion that it might happen.

The Guardian - Sport

I have a sneaky suspicion that today's doctors would pooh-pooh their evidence as "anecdotal".

The Guardian

"Even now I have a sneaky suspicion that there are a number of major pieces that have never left Afghanistan".

The New York Times

Yet a sneaky suspicion creeps up: are they so different from the habitual behaviours of the humans, Jerome in particular?

The Guardian

Nobody saw the Wallabies coming that year, and there's a sneaky suspicion, from this columnist at least, that they could be the team to beat come the 2015 World Cup which, incidentally, like 1991, is in the UK.

The Guardian - Sport

If we finally did, in college, subscribe to the fashionable belief that the director was the author of the film, and that one went to the new Hitchcock and not the new Cary Grant, we still had a sneaky suspicion that a good movie was a direct experience, one to be felt and not thought about.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Later I came across a quote on-line: Lionel Shriver confessing to a "sneaky, subterranean suspicion" beforehand that she would win.

The Guardian - Books

The frequency of these sneaky instances is impossible to gauge, but Mr. Saft has a suspicion.

The New York Times

I had a suspicion that their experience was more realistic than the articles I sneaky read in Cosmo while getting my hair done at the salon.

Huffington Post

Being sneaky.

The Guardian - Film

Niggling, sneaky.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sneaky suspicion" to convey a sense that something is amiss even without concrete evidence. It's best suited for informal or narrative contexts where a character or speaker is expressing a personal feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "sneaky suspicion" in highly formal or academic writing. It is more appropriate for journalistic or creative writing; consider using more direct and evidence-based language in formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sneaky suspicion" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a feeling or intuition that something is not quite right, often without concrete evidence. As Ludwig AI points out, it's often used to express a feeling despite a lack of tangible proof.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sneaky suspicion" is a common noun phrase used to express a feeling of distrust or unease, even in the absence of concrete evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys a subjective feeling that something might be amiss. While generally neutral in register, it leans toward the informal and is best used cautiously in formal academic or business settings. Consider alternatives like "gut feeling" or "unsettling feeling" for varied emphasis. When writing, use "sneaky suspicion" to inject a personal perspective or hint at underlying issues, remembering that it is generally more appropriate for informal or narrative uses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sneaking suspicion

A minor variation with the same core meaning.

gut feeling

Emphasizes intuition and instinct rather than deliberate reasoning.

hunch

Suggests a less defined or substantiated feeling than "sneaky suspicion".

nagging feeling

Highlights the persistent and bothersome nature of the feeling.

unconfirmed suspicion

Explicitly states that the suspicion lacks verification or proof.

inkling

Implies a vague idea or hint rather than a strong feeling.

quiet suspicion

Highlights the subdued or unspoken nature of the suspicion.

funny feeling

A more general and less specific sense of unease.

unsettling feeling

Focuses on the disturbing or disquieting aspect of the feeling.

lingering doubt

Emphasizes the uncertainty and lack of resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "sneaky suspicion" in a sentence?

You can use "sneaky suspicion" to express a feeling that something is not quite right, even if you don't have proof. For example, "I have a sneaky suspicion that he's hiding something".

What's a more formal alternative to "sneaky suspicion"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "unconfirmed suspicion", "lingering doubt", or "unsettling feeling". These alternatives convey a similar sense of unease without the informal tone of "sneaky suspicion".

Is there a difference between "sneaky suspicion" and "sneaking suspicion"?

The phrase "sneaking suspicion" is a minor variation of "sneaky suspicion" and carries essentially the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference.

When is it appropriate to use "sneaky suspicion" in writing?

"Sneaky suspicion" is suitable for informal writing, narratives, and journalistic contexts where expressing a character's or speaker's personal feelings is appropriate. It should be used cautiously in formal academic or business writing.