stole through

USAGE SUMMARY

'stole through' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a sneaking or sneaking-like movement, often of a person. Example sentence: She stole through the midnight streets, searching for the forgotten answers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The Italian team won the night, 3-2, buthehe German giant stole through to the quarter finals.

The New York Times - Sports

A rubber straw dangles around his neck like a fur stole, through which he can drink fluids from a container on his back.

The New York Times - Books

On Friday afternoon, as the sun shone and the air appeared to sparkle, The Independent could gaze north up Manhattan, past the Empire State Building, (whose crown this new building stole), through Harlem, the Bronx and far, far beyond.

Independent

It was followed by more than two hours of sporadic gunfire, as Afghan commandos besieged two other attackers who reportedly stole through a back entrance and holed up inside.

The Guardian

The two Britons appeared to be so preoccupied with racing each other that they failed to pay attention to Cheval, running in a lane inside them, and he stole through to win in 20.59sec.

The Guardian - Sport

At Tuesday's opening performance of a six-week engagement at the Café Carlyle her voice, clear and vibrato free but inflected with delicate little shivers, stole through the room like a shaft of light falling through a stained-glass window.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

CUNY started the test two years ago to demonstrate that it was not letting students steal through without mastering skills widely expected of college graduates.

The New York Times

Investigators say they believe those card numbers were stolen through skimming devices in privately owned machines.

The New York Times

In "Collected Stories," she plays a writer whose life is stolen through a betrayal of trust.

The New York Times

The act now helps recover billions of dollars stolen through fraud by U.S. government contracts every year.

University of California, Berkeley

Changing your password before will only put that new password at risk of being stolen through the Heartbleed bug.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stole through" to describe actions that are done discreetly and often unnoticed. This phrase works well when emphasizing the stealthy or subtle nature of movement or influence.

Common error

Avoid using "stole through" in highly formal or academic contexts where a more direct or explicit verb might be more appropriate. It can sometimes sound too figurative or informal for such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stole through" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a subtle or stealthy movement or permeation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly describes a sneaking-like action. It highlights how something or someone progresses in a discreet manner.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stole through" is a phrasal verb best used to describe subtle and quiet movement or permeation, as Ludwig AI confirms. It’s grammatically sound but more common in news, media and sport contexts, and less so in formal or academic writing. When precision and explicitness are paramount, consider more direct alternatives. The phrase paints a picture of stealthy progression, fitting scenarios where subtlety is key. Remember to consider your audience and context to ensure the appropriate level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slipped past

Focuses on the act of passing unnoticed, emphasizing stealth and lack of resistance.

crept in

Highlights a slow, gradual, and often unwanted intrusion.

filtered through

Implies a gradual permeation or dissemination, like light through a curtain.

made headway

Emphasizes progress or advancement, potentially in a subtle or understated manner.

gained ground

Suggests gradual advancement, often against opposition or resistance.

infiltrated

Conveys a clandestine entry, often with negative or strategic implications.

penetrated

Highlights the action of entering or passing into something, sometimes forcefully.

wormed its way

Suggests a cunning and persistent advancement, often in a devious way.

eased through

Implies a smooth and effortless passage.

navigated subtly

Highlights skillful and discreet movement.

FAQs

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

Use "stole through" to describe a quiet or subtle movement, such as "The melody "stole through" the room" or "The spy "stole through" the shadows".

What are some alternatives to "stole through"?

Alternatives include phrases like "slipped past", "crept in", or "filtered through", depending on the context.

Is "stole through" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "stole through" might be too figurative for highly formal writing. Consider using more direct and explicit verbs in such contexts.

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

"Stole through" emphasizes subtlety and quietness, while "sneaked through" often implies a more deliberate attempt to avoid being seen or heard.