Definition

1. Verb:
   • To move (goods or people) secretly or illegally into or out of a country, area, or place, especially to avoid paying taxes or obeying laws.
   • To bring or take something secretly, often in a clever or concealed manner.

Usage

• The verb "smuggle" is transitive and requires a direct object (the thing or person being moved illegally).
• It is often followed by prepositions like into, out of, across, or through to indicate the direction of the illegal movement.
• The typical pattern is: smuggle + object + prepositional phrase.

Examples

• Basic Usage:

  • The gang was caught trying to smuggle drugs across the border.
  • He smuggled a camera into the concert inside his jacket.
  • Historically, people smuggled silk and spices to avoid high tariffs.

• With Different Prepositions:

  • Into: They attempted to smuggle rare birds into the country.
  • Out of: The journalist smuggled the documents out of the building.
  • Through: Goods were smuggled through underground tunnels.

Advanced Usage

• "Smuggle in": To bring something in secretly.
  • She managed to smuggle in a piece of cake from the kitchen.
• "Smuggle out": To take something out secretly.
  • The prisoner smuggled out a letter to his family.

Variants and Related Words

• Smuggler (noun): A person who smuggles goods.
  • The smuggler was arrested at the airport.
• Smuggling (noun): The act or process of smuggling.
  • The government is trying to stop the smuggling of antiquities.

Synonyms

• Traffic (verb): To deal or trade in something illegal (often used with 'in').
  • They were accused of trafficking in stolen art.
• Run (verb): To bring goods into a country illegally (informal).
  • They used fast boats to run liquor during prohibition.
• Bootleg (verb): To make, carry, or sell (something, especially alcohol or recordings) illegally.
  • He was arrested for bootlegging whiskey.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Smuggle in/out: As shown in the 'Advanced Usage' section, these are common combinations specifying direction.
  • The fans tried to smuggle in banners to the stadium.

Related Idioms

• "Smuggle something past someone": To get something through a checkpoint or past an authority figure without being detected.
  • He smuggled the note past the guard by hiding it in a book.

Verb

1. import or export without paying customs duties
   • She smuggled cigarettes across the border