sneak in

Thân thiện

She tried to sneak in a few extra cookies before dinner.

Definition

1. Verb (transitive or intransitive):
   • To enter a place quietly, secretly, or without permission to avoid being noticed.
   • To add or insert something (e.g., a comment, an item, a reference) in a subtle, discreet, or surreptitious manner.

Usage

• As a verb, "sneak in" can be used with or without a direct object.
• When used transitively, the object is the thing being inserted (e.g., a word, a question).
• When used intransitively, the subject is the person or thing entering secretly.

Examples

• Intransitive use (entering secretly):
  • We managed to sneak in through the back door after the show started.
  • The cat sneaks in every night to sleep on the sofa.
• Transitive use (inserting something subtly):
  • He tried to sneak in a few extra items at the bottom of the grocery bag.
  • During the meeting, she sneaked in a question about the budget.

Advanced Usage

• "to sneak someone/something in": To help a person or thing enter a place secretly.
  • My friend sneaked me into the concert without a ticket.
  • Can you sneak this contraband snack into the movie theater?

Variants and Related Words

• Sneak (verb): To move or go in a secret, stealthy way.
• Sneaky (adjective): Behaving in a secret and sometimes dishonest or unfair way.
• Sneak peek (noun phrase): A secret or early look at something. (Note: This is a related compound phrase, not a direct variant of the phrasal verb "sneak in").

Synonyms

• Slip in: To enter or insert something quickly and unobtrusively.
• Creep in: To enter slowly, carefully, and quietly; often used for abstract things like errors or feelings.
• Infiltrate: To enter or gain access to (an organization, place, etc.) surreptitiously and gradually, especially for a hostile purpose.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Sneak out: To leave a place quietly and secretly.
  • The teenagers sneaked out of the house after their parents went to sleep.
• Sneak up on: To approach someone quietly and stealthily so they do not notice.
  • Don't sneak up on me like that! You scared me.

Related Idioms

• Sneak in under the radar: To do something without being noticed or drawing attention, often by being subtle or by exploiting a lack of scrutiny.
  • The clause was so complex that it sneaked in under the radar during the contract negotiations.

Học thuật

Verb

1. insert casually
   • She slipped in a reference to her own work
2. enter surreptitiously
   • He sneaked in under cover of darkness
   • In this essay, the author's personal feelings creep in

Từ đồng nghĩa

• slip in
• stick in
• insert
• creep in