sneak in

To enter a place quietly and secretly so that nobody notices you.

• He sneaked in quietly.
• Can we sneak in through the back door?
• She tried to sneak in after everyone had gone to bed.

How to use it: sneak in through something (They sneaked in through an open window.)

Similar words: slip in, creep in

Common phrases: sneak in quietly, sneak in unnoticed, sneak in late

To bring something into a place secretly, especially when it is not allowed.

• They tried to sneak in food.
• She sneaked a bottle in under her jacket.
• Did you sneak these snacks in past security?

How to use it: sneak something in (He hid a sandwich in his coat and sneaked it in.)

Similar words: smuggle in

Common phrases: sneak in something, sneak in food, sneak in alcohol

To just manage to get a place in a competition or group, despite having little chance of success.

• Our team managed to sneak in.
• They sneaked in after their rivals lost the final match.
• With only one place left, could she still sneak in?

Similar words: scrape through, squeeze in, just qualify

Common phrases: sneak in narrowly, sneak in last

To add words or ideas to something without making people notice the addition.

• He sneaked in a joke.
• The writer sneaked a political message in between the funny scenes.
• Can you sneak in a reference to our project?

How to use it: sneak something in (She sneaked a personal comment in near the end.)

Similar words: slip in, work in

Common phrases: sneak in something, sneak in a joke, sneak in a reference