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
He was paroled from detention but banned from work and national health insurance, though he worked on the sly until about eight years ago, when the government started to tighten controls over parolees.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2023
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
When Burnett was growing up in Brooklyn, dancing was something he had to do on the sly.
From New York Times ● Jul. 23, 2021
Richard would shoot balled-up paper through it on the sly, making sure Kaprice noticed.
From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater
