1 A2 informal
To move quietly and secretly through a place to avoid being noticed.
"The children were sneaking around the house, trying not to wake their parents."
inseparable
sneak around
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To move or behave secretly, often to hide something from others.
In plain English
To go places or do things without letting other people know, because you are hiding something.
What does "sneak around" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To behave secretively in order to hide a relationship, activity, or intention from someone.
"I know you've been sneaking around behind my back — just tell me the truth."
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
To go to a place or see someone secretly, especially in a romantic context involving deceit.
"He had been sneaking around with a colleague for months before his wife found out."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To sneak (move quietly) in various directions around a place — fairly transparent.
Actually means
To go places or do things without letting other people know, because you are hiding something.
Usage tip
Often implies deception or guilt. Used about people hiding an affair, secret meetings, or forbidden activities. Tone is disapproving.
Words that pair with "sneak around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
behind someone's back secretly quietly unnoticed at night
How to conjugate "sneak around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
sneak around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sneaks around
he/she/it
Past simple
sneaked around
yesterday
Past participle
sneaked around
have + pp
-ing form
sneaking around
continuous
Hear "sneak around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "sneak around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "sneak around"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
creep around go behind someone's back move stealthily skulk about slink around
Keep exploring
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