On the low
含义: In secret. Discreetly. Keeping something quiet and hidden from others.
On the low (also 'on the low-low' or 'on the DL') means doing something secretly or keeping information private. It can describe a secret relationship, a side hustle nobody knows about, or any activity you don't want publicized. It implies discretion and privacy, not necessarily wrongdoing.
例句
- They've been dating on the low for months — nobody at work knows. 他们偷偷交往了好几个月——公司里没人知道。Llevan saliendo en secreto durante meses — nadie en el trabajo lo sabe.二人はこっそり何ヶ月も付き合っていた——職場では誰も知らない。둘은 몇 달째 몰래 사귀고 있었어——직장에서 아무도 몰라.
- She's been working on a new business on the low. Not ready to announce it yet. 她在悄悄搞一个新生意。还没准备好公布。Ella ha estado trabajando en un nuevo negocio a escondidas. Aún no está lista para anunciarlo.彼女は内密に新しいビジネスに取り組んでいる。まだ公表する準備ができていないのだ。그녀는 몰래 새 사업을 준비하고 있어. 아직 발표할 준비가 안 됐대.
- Keep this on the low, but I heard they're getting engaged next month. 这事别往外说啊,但我听说他们下个月要订婚了。Esto queda entre nosotros, pero me he enterado de que se van a comprometer el mes que viene.ここだけの話だけど、来月あの二人が婚約するらしいよ。여기서만 하는 말인데, 다음 달에 그 둘이 약혼한대.
发音
用法指南
语境: secrets, privacy, casual conversation
语气: secretive, confidential
✓ 正确说法
- Keep it on the low.Keep it on the low.(别声张。)Mantenlo en secreto.Keep it on the low.(内密にしといて。)비밀로 해줘.
- They're moving on the low.They're moving on the low.(他们在偷偷行动。)Se están moviendo a escondidas.They're moving on the low.(あいつら密かに動いてるよ。)걔네 몰래 움직이고 있어.
✗ 错误说法
- On the low doesn't inherently imply wrongdoing — sometimes people are just privateon the low并不一定暗示做了坏事——有时候人们只是想保持低调On the low no implica necesariamente algo malo — a veces la gente simplemente es reservada「on the low」は必ずしも悪いことを意味しない——単にプライベートにしたいだけのこともあるOn the low가 반드시 잘못된 일을 의미하지는 않는다——단순히 사적인 성격일 수도 있다
起源与历史
Originated in AAVE, with 'low' referring to keeping a low profile. The extended form 'on the down-low' (DL) became well-known in the early 2000s. The phrase has been a staple of AAVE communication about privacy and secrecy for decades.
文化背景
Era: 1980s-present
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
更多同类表达
More from AAVE-Origin Expressions