on the sly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The math-proficiency analysis suggests it may be doing so on the sly.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025
We were forbidden to speak Urdu, but my mother still taught us on the sly.
From New York Times • Mar. 1, 2024
But with overfishing in the more populated areas - and the chance to earn big money selling fish on the sly - some fishermen encroach on indigenous land to find valuable species to sell.
From BBC • Jun. 13, 2022
Sometimes, developers bought up units on the sly, knowing that control over assessments and expenditures could come as soon as a majority.
From Slate • Aug. 4, 2021
He worked on the sly, off the books, so to speak, for the glass company on Lipowa Street.
From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson
