sneak (redirected from sneaking up on)

sneak around (some place)

to move about a place in a sneaky or stealthy fashion. Please don't sneak around the house. It makes me nervous. Please stop sneaking around!

See also: around

sneak around someone or something 

1. Lit. to creep around or past someone or something. The cat sneaked around Molly and ran out the door. We had to sneak around the corner so we wouldn't be seen.

2. Fig. to circumvent the control or censorship of someone or some group. I think we can sneak around the board of directors and authorize this project ourselves. Yes, let's sneak around the board.

See also: around

sneak away (from some place)

to go away from a place quietly and in secret. Jeff tried to sneak away from the party, but Judy saw him. They sneaked away together.

See also: away

sneak in(to some place)

to enter a place quietly and in secret, perhaps without a ticket or permission. The kids tried to sneak into the rock concert, but they were stopped by the guards. Never try to sneak in. Sometimes they arrest you for trespassing.

sneak out (of some place)

to go out of a place quietly and in secret. I sneaked out of the meeting, hoping no one would notice. Jamie saw me and sneaked out with me.

See also: out

sneak up on someone or something

to approach someone or something quietly and in secret. Please don't sneak up on me like that. I sneaked up on the cake, hoping no one would see me. someone did.

See also: up

sneak up to someone or something

to move close to someone or something quietly and in secret. I sneaked up to Don and scared him to death. Don sneaked up to the punch bowl and helped himself before the party began.

See also: up