Sneak up Meaning in English
expression
ˈsnik/ /ˈəp
SNEEK-uhp
snˈiːk/ /ˈʌp
s-NEEK-uhp
Definition
To approach someone or something quietly and secretly so they do not notice you, often to surprise them.
Usage & Nuances
Usually informal and used in the context of surprising, scaring, or catching someone off guard. Common with 'on' or 'behind': 'sneak up on someone', 'sneak up behind'. Do not use for physically attacking; it's about stealthy approach.
Spanish: acercarse sigilosamente - acercarse sin ser vistoPortuguese (BR): chegar de mansinho - aproximar-se furtivamentePortuguese (PT): aproximar-se sorrateiramente - chegar de fininhoChinese (Simplified): 悄悄靠近 - 偷偷接近Chinese (Traditional): 悄悄靠近 - 偷偷接近Hindi: चुपके से आ जानाArabic: يتسلل إلىBengali: চুপিচুপি কাছে আসা - অজান্তে এসে উপস্থিত হওয়াRussian: подкрастьсяJapanese: そっと近づく - 忍び寄るVietnamese: lén lút lại gầnKorean: 몰래 다가가다Turkish: sessizce yaklaşmakUrdu: چپکے سے قریب آناIndonesian: mendekati diam-diam
Example Sentences
Don't sneak up on your sister; you might scare her.
basic
The cat tried to sneak up on the bird.
basic
You shouldn't sneak up on people in the dark.
basic
My birthday really sneaked up on me this year.
natural
Winter seems to sneak up every year before I'm ready.
natural
If you sneak up on him, maybe you can catch him by surprise.
natural