What Does "On the Sly" Mean?
"On the sly" is an English idiom. It means "secretly or discreetly; in a manner intended to avoid detection or notice."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "on the sly" used in a sentence:- He made extra income on the sly by selling handmade crafts online without his employer's knowledge.
- The students communicated on the sly during the exam, trying not to attract the teacher's attention.
- She managed to plan a surprise party for her friend on the sly, keeping the details confidential.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "On the Sly" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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