Sneaky actions in English, with pictures
This page teaches common verbs and nouns for doing things quietly or secretly. Try acting out each action as you say the word to help remember it.
eavesdrop
/ˈiːvzdrɑːp/
To secretly listen to other people talking.
“He tried to eavesdrop on their private meeting.”
/kriːp/
To move very quietly and slowly so nobody notices you.
“I saw a cat creep through the tall grass.”
lurk
/lɜːrk/
To wait secretly somewhere, often before doing something bad.
“A suspicious man seemed to lurk in the dark alley.”
peek
/piːk/
To look at something quickly and secretly.
“Do not peek at your birthday present yet!”
/ˈʃædoʊ/
To follow someone closely and secretly wherever they go.
“The detective was hired to shadow the suspect.”
smuggle
/ˈsmʌɡ.əl/
To take things into or out of a place illegally.
“They tried to smuggle rare birds across the border.”
snatch
/snætʃ/
To grab something quickly and roughly.
“The monkey tried to snatch my banana.”
sneak
/sniːk/
To go somewhere quietly without being seen or heard.
“We watched him sneak into the kitchen for cake.”
/treɪs/
To find or follow someone by searching for signs of them.
“The dog helped him trace the thief by his smell.”
/stiːl/
To take something that belongs to someone else without permission.
“A thief tried to steal her bicycle last night.”
