peek

To look secretly or through a small opening, often while trying to stay hidden.

• Close your eyes and do not peek.
• She peeked around the door.
• He peeked through the fence to see the dog.

How to use it: peek through something (She peeked through a gap in the curtain.); peek at something (He peeked at his birthday present.); peek out of something (A child peeked out of the tent.)

Similar words: peep

Common phrases: peek through something, peek around something, peek out

To look at something for a short time.

• Peek at this photo.
• She peeked at her phone during lunch.
• He peeked inside to check whether anyone was there.

How to use it: peek at something (I peeked at the message.)

Similar words: glance, take a look

Common phrases: peek at something, peek inside, peek briefly

To move briefly from a hidden or protected position so you can see what is happening.

• Do not peek while the sniper is watching.
• She peeked from cover and spotted another player.
• He peeked the corner, then moved back behind the wall.

How to use it: peek from behind something (He peeked from behind the wall to locate the enemy.)

Common phrases: peek a corner, peek from cover, peek the angle

A quick look at something, sometimes taken secretly.

• Let me take a peek.
• We had a quick peek inside the shop.
• She gave us a sneak peek at her new book.

How to use it: a peek at something (Let me have a peek at your drawing.); a peek inside something (We had a peek inside the old house.)

Similar words: glance, glimpse

Common phrases: take a peek, sneak peek, peek at something