steal in
C1 formal intransitive
In simple words
To quietly creep into a place so no one notices you
Literal meaning: To steal (move stealthily) into a place
Meanings
1 C1 formal
To enter a place quietly and secretly without being noticed
"She stole in through the back door so as not to wake her parents."
""He stole in softly, feeling himself a transgressor.""
— Charles Dickens, 'Dombey and Son', 1848
2 C1
idiomatic
formal
To gradually or imperceptibly enter a situation or person's awareness (literary)
"A sense of dread stole in as she read the final pages of the letter."
Usage notes
Literary and somewhat old-fashioned in everyday speech. More commonly found in narrative prose and poetry than in conversation. The same metaphor as 'steal away' — moving like a thief, without being detected.
Commonly used with
quietly room house night darkness unnoticed morning
Forms
Base
steal in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
steals in
he/she/it
Past simple
stealed in
yesterday
Past participle
stealed in
have + pp
-ing form
stealing in
continuous
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