peeps
peep at (someone or something)
To get a quick, cursory, often sneaky or surreptitious look at someone or something. I peeped at the boss's computer, and it looks like there's a round of layoffs on the way. Campus guards caught him trying to peep at the women getting changed in their locker rooms.
See also: peep
peep in(to something)
To peer, glimpse, or glance in(to something) quickly, shyly, or inconspicuously. The secretary peeped in and disappeared just as quickly when she realized people were in the room. He peeped into the box and saw that his wife had gotten him a new watch for Christmas.
See also: peep
peep out
1. To glance quickly out from behind cover of some kind. The toddler peeped out from behind her parents' legs, then hid behind them again just as quickly. The rabbit peeped out of the burrow after it smelled the food I'd placed nearby.
2. To become partially or temporarily visible from behind cover of some kind. The sun has been peeping out of the clouds all day, but never for long enough to get warm. I could see my daughter's elbow peeping out from behind the curtains while we were playing hide and seek, but I pretended that I hadn't seen her.
See also: out, peep
peep over (something)
1. To glance or peer shyly, quickly, or inconspicuously over the top of something. We peeped over the fence when we heard the neighbors start fighting. I caught the child peeping over the top of the sofa to see what was going on.
2. To be revealed partially above the top of something. All I could see was the man's head peeping over the top of the wall. Your underpants are peeping over the top of your jeans, Tom.
See also: over, peep
peep through
1. To peer, glimpse, or glance through (something) quickly, shyly, or inconspicuously. I peeped through the curtains to see if the man was still lurking outside our house. I looked over at the door and could see a small child peeping through at me.
2. To be revealed partially through or from behind something. I went the whole day without realizing that my bra was peeping through my dress. I tried to cover up the graffiti with black paint, but there was still a bit of color peeping through.
See also: peep, through
peep under (something)
1. To peer, glimpse, or glance under (something) quickly, shyly, or inconspicuously. I peeped under the rug to see if my toddler had hidden anything there. Sarah was peeping under the curtains trying to find our cat.
2. To be revealed partially from underneath something. I hate the way my shirt peeps under my jacket like that! I tried to cover up the graffiti with black paint, but there was still a bit of color peeping under it.
See also: peep
peep underneath (something)
1. To peer, glimpse, or glance under (something) quickly, shyly, or inconspicuously. I peeped underneath the rug to see if my toddler had hidden anything there. Sarah was peeping underneath the curtains trying to find our cat.
2. To be revealed partially from underneath something. I hate the way my shirt peeps underneath my jacket like that! I tried to cover up the graffiti with black paint, but there was still a bit of color peeping underneath it.
See also: peep, underneath
pixel peep
slang To very carefully inspect, scrutinize, and correct the resolution, clarity, and quality of digital images or photographs. When I started getting into digital photography, I'll admit that I that I focused a bit too much on pixel peeping for a while. Later on though, I became less obsessive over technical quality and learned to appreciate well-composed photographs.
See also: peep, pixel
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
peep out (of something) (at someone or something)
to sneak a glimpse of someone or something out of something, as through a hole. A little mouse peeped out of its hole at the bright lights in the room. Johnny, hiding in the closet, peeped out at the guests through the partly opened door.
See also: out, peep
peep through something
to take a quick glance through something, such as a hole, telescope, etc. Sam peeped through the keyhole and saw that the room was dark. Peep through the telescope and have a look at the moon!
See also: peep, through
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
peep out
v.
1. To become partially visible behind a cover or obstacle: The moon peeped out from behind the clouds.
2. To give a quick look from behind a cover or obstacle: The child peeped out at us from behind the door.
See also: out, peep
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- peep at
- peep at (someone or something)
- take a peek at (someone or something)
- peek
- peek at
- peek at (someone or something)
- stack the cards
- stack the cards (against someone or something)
- steal a march on (someone or something)
- steal the march upon (someone or something)