Sneaking something with 目を盗む
The expression 目を盗む means to “sneak by” or “slip something past someone”. It implies doing something secretly or without being noticed, especially when attempting to hide actions from someone who is supposed to be watching or supervising.
In English, a similar phrase is to do something “behind someone’s back”. In some similar cases, you may “slip past” someone.
Literal Meaning
A literal translation is to “steal the eyes”.
Usage
It is often used in contexts where someone is trying to do something covertly or discreetly, often to avoid detection or punishment. It can carry a somewhat mischievous or sneaky nuance, suggesting that the person is evading notice in a subtle or underhanded way.
Written as 〜の目を盗んで, the stealthily act is done with the hope of not being found out by the person identified directly before the の.
Dictionary Definition
人に見つからないように、こっそりする。
Do it secretly, so that people don't find out.
Goo Dictionary
Further Reading
- 目を盗む｜体の慣用句 (edewakaru.com)
Examples
Sneaking sleeping pills in with 目を盗む
As Ran sleeps, she’s carried to a sink filled with water and almost drowned. After, Conan considers the coffee Ran drank earlier must have been drugged, or else Ran would have fought back.
Since Mrs. Yone, who prepared the coffee with Ran’s help, was with Kogoro at the time of the attack, Korogo narrows the list of suspects to four who were out of sight while the coffee was being prepared.
- 小五郎:
- 「という事は、あなた方の中の誰かが米さんと蘭の目を盗んで睡眠薬を入れたとも考えられますな？」
- “Considering that, isn't it possible one of you slipped past Mrs. Yone and Ran and put sleeping pills in?”