sneak up
The phrase "sneak up" describes a stealthy approach or an unexpected development.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)To approach someone quietly and secretly, often to surprise them.
Example
- He managed to sneak up on her and scare her.
- Don't sneak up on me like that!
B2General
(informal)To occur or develop gradually and unexpectedly.
Example
- The deadline for the project sneaked up on us.
- Old age seems to sneak up on you.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "sneak up":
sneak insneak aroundcreep onrun up oncreep insneaky beakycome up tosneaking regarderget the drop onslip outcome up and biteride up onclimb upsteal a marchscoot upslip inhide behindrun upcome upslip upmove upjump upcamo upcatch outslip awayget up in