on the quiet
Without telling anyone
On the quiet means secretly or discreetly, without attracting attention or official notice: They've been seeing each other on the quiet.
The phrase suggests deliberate concealment rather than mere privacy—something done away from public view or kept from people who might object.
More common in British than American English.
- on the slyIn secret manner
- privatelyOut of public view
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- hush-hushHighly confidential matter
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
discreet · sub rosa · surreptitiously · asides · covert · need to know · confidential · secretive · off-the-record · inconspicuous · flying under the radar · stealthily · whispered · under one's breath · low-key · cloak-and-dagger · muffled · hushed
on the quietopenly
Without hiding anything
publicly · in the open · out in the open · in public · for all to see
on the quietloudly
With great volume
noisily · officially · formally · ceremoniously · boisterously
on the quietofficially
With authorized sanction
on the record · by the book · formally · on paper · legitimately
quiet, quietly, quietness, disquiet, quieten, disquieting, unquiet, quietism, disquiets