sneak

Universal Words verb, noun, adjective verb HELPNOTE The usual past form is sneaked, but snuck is now very common in informal speech in AmE and some people use it in BrE too. However, many people consider it incorrect and it should not be used in formal writing. 1 [V+adv./prep.] to go somewhere secretly, trying to avoid being seen: What are you doing sneaking around out there? * Did you sneak into my room while I was asleep? 2 to do sth or take sb/sth somewhere secretly, often without permission: [VN] We sneaked a look at her private diary. * I was caught sneaking my kitten into the school. * At last we were able to sneak a moment alone together. * [VN, VNN] I managed to sneak a note to him. * I managed to sneak him a note. 3 [VN] (informal) to secretly take sth small or unimportant: I sneaked a cake when they were out of the room. 4 [V] ~ (on sb) (to sb) (old-fashioned, BrE, disapproving) to tell an adult that another child has done sth wrong, especially in order to cause trouble SYNSNITCH: Did you sneak on me to the teacher? PHRASALVERBS sneak up (on sb/sth) to move towards sb very quietly so that they do not see or hear you until you reach them: He sneaked up on his sister and shouted 'Boo!'. noun (old-fashioned, BrE, disapproving) a person, especially a child, who tells sb about sth wrong that another person has done SYNSNITCH adjective [onlybeforenoun] done without any warning: a sneak attack / raid