Spy on
verb
To watch somebody or something secretly, usually to discover information about them or their activities.
The government was suspected of spying on its own citizens.
Often appears as...
- spy on someone
- spy on activities
verb
To look sneakily or secretly at something or someone, often from a hidden place.
The neighbors are always spying on us, trying to see what we're doing in the backyard.
Often appears as...
- spy on neighbors
- spy on people
verb
To watch somebody or something secretly, usually to discover information about them or their activities.
The government was suspected of spying on its own citizens.
Often appears as...
- spy on someone
- spy on activities
verb
To look sneakily or secretly at something or someone, often from a hidden place.
The neighbors are always spying on us, trying to see what we're doing in the backyard.
Often appears as...
- spy on neighbors
- spy on people
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Privacy Invasion
The phrase implies an intrusion into someone's private life without consent, often negatively received.
He felt uneasy knowing his boss might spy on his social media profiles.
Pro Tip 2/3Secretive Intent
Use when the observer doesn't want to be noticed, intending to keep their observation hidden.
She pretended to read the newspaper to spy on the conversation next to her.
Pro Tip 3/3Information Gathering
Often used when the purpose is to collect information for personal use or advantage.
Companies shouldn't spy on customers to get confidential data.
Pro Tip 1/3Privacy Invasion
The phrase implies an intrusion into someone's private life without consent, often negatively received.
He felt uneasy knowing his boss might spy on his social media profiles.
Pro Tip 2/3Secretive Intent
Use when the observer doesn't want to be noticed, intending to keep their observation hidden.
She pretended to read the newspaper to spy on the conversation next to her.
Pro Tip 3/3Information Gathering
Often used when the purpose is to collect information for personal use or advantage.
Companies shouldn't spy on customers to get confidential data.
Pro Tip 1/3Privacy Invasion
The phrase implies an intrusion into someone's private life without consent, often negatively received.
He felt uneasy knowing his boss might spy on his social media profiles.
Pro Tip 2/3Secretive Intent
Use when the observer doesn't want to be noticed, intending to keep their observation hidden.
She pretended to read the newspaper to spy on the conversation next to her.
Pro Tip 3/3Information Gathering
Often used when the purpose is to collect information for personal use or advantage.
Companies shouldn't spy on customers to get confidential data.
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