on the sly

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English

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Adverb

on the sly

  1. (idiomatic) Slyly, in an inconspicuous manner, so as not to be seen; secretly; stealthily.
    Synonyms: clandestinely, furtively, on the down-low, on the quiet, on the Q.T.
    • 1857, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 16, in The Virginians:
      This diversion was enjoyed on the sly, and unknown to the ladies of the house.
    • 1984 December 15, John Kyper, “Remembering David Stryker”, in Gay Community News, volume 12, number 22, page 5:
      He was working for us on the sly at the Herald-Traveler-Record-American (before it shortened its topheavy name), then as now a reactionary, homophobic rag. Evidently he placed himself at some risk to help us, I learned later, because he was threatened with dismissal for his unauthorized use of the typesetter.

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