Phrase guide

on the Q.T.

prep_phrase · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Quietly; in a secretive manner; clandestinely.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Alternative form of on the Q.T..

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adverb

Meaning 3

in secrecy; not openly

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • met secretly to discuss the invasion plans
  • the children secretly went to the movies when they were supposed to be at the library
  • they arranged to meet in secret

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: secretly, in secret, on the QT

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Slang for "on the quiet," attested from 1874.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Russian: тайко́м (tajkóm) — secretly
  • Spanish: por lo bajini — secretly
  • Spanish: a hurtadillas — secretly
  • Spanish: de extranjis — secretly
  • Spanish: de tapadillo — secretly
  • Spanish: a cencerros tapados — secretly
  • Spanish: a la chita callando — secretly
  • Spanish: como quien no quiere la cosa — secretly