steal upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"steal upon" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an informal and idiomatic expression that means to approach or arrive stealthily or quietly. Example sentence: The thief attempted to steal upon the house in the night, but was spotted by the security guard.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You shall not steal: Upon reading a brilliant tweet, retweet.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It steals upon you when it steals upon you.

The New York Times

A look of awe stole upon the anchorman's face.

The New York Times - Magazine

I've been thinking about the way autumn has stolen upon us.

The New York Times

He's been a powerful figure in my life, the remedy to a disabling fear that stole upon me unexpected one day.

The New York Times

Mind you, the play trades in a subtle glory, the kind that steals upon you furtively and without the help of advance PR.

The New York Times

"At each End of the Canoe stands an Indian," noted a history of Virginia in 1722, "with a Gig, or pointed Spear... stealing upon the Fish, without any Noise".

The New York Times - Magazine

Situations yielding silently to new configurations, feelings fading imperceptibly or stealing upon us, shifts in the atmosphere around us: time in the novel is made up of these chromatic transitions, and the usual name for them in the history of the form is the chapter.

The New Yorker

How can you tell whether the universal social lubricant and one of life's true joys is harming more than helping you? Alcoholism steals upon you gradually at least it did in my case.

Forbes

In clips of the video, posted to Global's website, McKnight tells Doep, "My phone was stolen" upon being confronted by him.

Vice

Bard news: while others may have stolen Stratford-upon-Avon's thunder, Shakespeare's home town was cut off from Birmingham after flooding of tempestuous proportions.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steal upon" to add a touch of subtle drama or suspense to your writing. It works best when describing gradual or stealthy actions, especially in narrative contexts where atmosphere is key.

Common error

While "steal upon" is grammatically correct, it can sound somewhat archaic or overly dramatic in formal or technical writing. Opt for more direct and neutral alternatives like "approach" or "affect gradually" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steal upon" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, where "steal" acts as the verb and "upon" as the prepositional particle. It typically describes a subtle or stealthy approach or effect. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its acceptability, and examples show its use in narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steal upon" is a phrasal verb that describes a subtle or stealthy approach or effect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although it notes that it is more suitable for descriptive or narrative writing than formal contexts. While "steal upon" may not be as prevalent as other similar expressions, its unique nuance makes it a valuable addition to a writer's toolkit. As Ludwig's examples show, this phrase is favored by prominent publications like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creep up on

This alternative focuses on the gradual and often unnoticed approach, similar to "steal upon".

sneak up on

This implies a more secretive and deliberate approach than "steal upon".

quietly approach

This focuses on the silent and unobtrusive manner of approach, simplifying the more figurative "steal upon".

gradually affect

This alternative highlights the slow and subtle influence or impact, differing from the physical approach implied by "steal upon".

take unawares

This alternative emphasizes the element of surprise, which is often associated with "steal upon".

insidiously affect

This emphasizes the harmful or dangerous nature of the gradual influence, adding a negative connotation not always present in "steal upon".

gain ground stealthily

Highlights the surreptitious advancement or progress, shifting focus from a direct approach.

encroach gradually

This emphasizes a slow and subtle intrusion or infringement, differentiating from the more direct and immediate sense of "steal upon".

overtake silently

This focuses on the silent surpassing or outdoing, suggesting a competitive aspect not inherently present in "steal upon".

seize unexpectedly

This highlights the sudden and unforeseen nature of the seizing, adding an element of surprise that changes the nuance of "steal upon".

FAQs

What does "steal upon" mean?

The phrase "steal upon" means to approach or affect someone or something quietly, stealthily, or gradually. It often implies a subtle or unnoticed influence or arrival.

What can I say instead of "steal upon"?

You can use alternatives like "creep up on", "sneak up on", or "quietly approach" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "steal upon" in a sentence?

You can use "steal upon" to describe the way something subtly affects someone or something, such as "A feeling of sadness began to steal upon her as she remembered her childhood". It also describes a silent approach.

Is "steal upon" formal or informal?

"Steal upon" is somewhat informal and can sound slightly archaic or literary. It is more common in descriptive or narrative writing than in formal or technical contexts.