Definition

Verb Phrase: - To leave a place secretly and quietly, without being noticed or attracting attention. It implies a departure that is sneaky or done to avoid detection.

Usage

This phrasal verb is used to describe the act of exiting discreetly. It often carries a nuance of escaping from a dull, unpleasant, or restrictive situation. - The children stole away from the dinner table to play video games. - He stole away in the middle of the night, leaving no note.

Advanced Usage

• "to steal away from [something/someone]": To leave a specific place or person in a secretive manner.
  • She managed to steal away from the crowded party for a moment of quiet.

Variants and Related Words

• Steal (verb): While its primary meaning is to take something illegally, in an archaic or literary sense, it can also mean to move secretly.
  • He stole into the room without a sound.

Synonyms

• Slip away/out: To leave quietly and unobtrusively.
• Sneak away/out: To leave in a stealthy, furtive manner.
• Creep away: To leave slowly and carefully to avoid notice.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Slip out: To leave quietly and quickly, often from a gathering.
  • I'm going to try to slip out before the meeting ends.

Verb

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