sneak
sneak /sn'iːk/ (sneaks sneaking sneaked)
The form snuck is also used in American English for the past tense and past participle.
1 [VERB] V adv/prep
If you sneak somewhere, you go there very quietly on foot, trying to avoid being seen or heard.
Sometimes he would sneak out of his house late at night to be with me...
2 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V n n
If you sneak something somewhere, you take it there secretly.
He smuggled papers out each day, photocopied them, and snuck them back...
You even snuck me a cigarette.
3 [VERB] V n prep
If you sneak a look at someone or something, you secretly have a quick look at them.
You sneak a look at your watch to see how long you've got to wait.
= steal
4
see also sneakingsneak pre|view (sneak previews)
[N-COUNT] oft N of n
A sneak preview of something is an unofficial opportunity to have a look at it before it is officially published or shown to the public.sneak up on
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P P n
If someone sneaks up on you, they try and approach you without being seen or heard, perhaps to surprise you or do you harm.
I managed to sneak up on him when you knocked on the door.
= creep up
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P P n
If something sneaks up on you, it happens or occurs when you are not expecting it.
Sometimes our expectations sneak up on us unawares.
The form snuck is also used in American English for the past tense and past participle.
1 [VERB] V adv/prep
If you sneak somewhere, you go there very quietly on foot, trying to avoid being seen or heard.
Sometimes he would sneak out of his house late at night to be with me...
2 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V n n
If you sneak something somewhere, you take it there secretly.
He smuggled papers out each day, photocopied them, and snuck them back...
You even snuck me a cigarette.
3 [VERB] V n prep
If you sneak a look at someone or something, you secretly have a quick look at them.
You sneak a look at your watch to see how long you've got to wait.
= steal
4
see also sneakingsneak pre|view (sneak previews)
[N-COUNT] oft N of n
A sneak preview of something is an unofficial opportunity to have a look at it before it is officially published or shown to the public.sneak up on
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P P n
If someone sneaks up on you, they try and approach you without being seen or heard, perhaps to surprise you or do you harm.
I managed to sneak up on him when you knocked on the door.
= creep up
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P P n
If something sneaks up on you, it happens or occurs when you are not expecting it.
Sometimes our expectations sneak up on us unawares.