Definition

Verb: - To leave a place secretly and quietly, without being noticed or without permission. It implies a desire to avoid attention or detection when departing.

Usage

• This verb phrase describes the act of departing stealthily. It is typically used when someone wants to avoid a social obligation, a boring situation, or simply does not want to announce their exit.
• It is often followed by a prepositional phrase starting with "to" (e.g., sneak off to the kitchen) or "from" (e.g., sneak off from the party).

Examples

• ) to make a private phone call.*

Advanced Usage

• "to sneak off with (something/someone)": To leave secretly while taking something or someone with you.
  • Someone sneaked off with the last piece of cake.
  • They sneaked off with the company's confidential files.

Variants and Related Words

• Sneak out (phrasal verb): Very similar in meaning to "sneak off," often used interchangeably. "Sneak out" can sometimes emphasize leaving a confined space (like a building or room).
  • He sneaked out the back door.
• Slip away/out (phrasal verb): A close synonym meaning to leave quietly and unnoticed.
  • She slipped away before the party ended.

Synonyms

• Slip away
• Slip out
• Steal away
• Creep off

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Sneak in/into: To enter a place secretly.
  • We sneaked into the cinema without paying.
• Sneak up on: To approach someone quietly so they do not notice until you are very close.
  • Don't sneak up on me like that! You scared me.

Related Idioms

• To give someone the slip: To escape from someone who is following or watching you.
  • The spy gave his pursuers the slip by sneaking off down a side alley.

Verb

1. leave furtively and stealthily
   • The lecture was boring and many students slipped out when the instructor turned towards the blackboard