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down-low
noun
Phrases
the down-low
: a state or condition of secrecy
—usually used in the phrase on the down-low
Alcindor was able to keep his drug use on the down-low, but Allen was not so lucky.—Seth Davis
The spot was called Houston's. Dimly lit, it was a restaurant on the down-low.—Sister Souljah
—abbreviation DL
Examples of down-low in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Liv arrived as the first bombshell of the season in episode one, stealing Rob only for him and Leah to keep their relationship going on the down-low.
—Arimeta Diop, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2024
Could the episode have worked slightly better if the production team had trusted us to make that connection — a rapper trying to keep his sexuality on the down-low before finding his personal truth — ourselves?
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 July 2024
Keep your crabby comments and compulsive shopping on the down-low — at least for those 10 days.
—Elizabeth Gulino, refinery29.com, 20 Oct. 2023
The space opened on the relatively down-low, but should be operational most nights at 5 p.m., serving as a low-key way to escape the parks and add a welcome elevated bar space to the resort.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2023
Kelly Reilly’s Yellowstone character Beth Dutton may be very open about her relationship with Rip Wheeler, but the actress is known for keeping her real-life romance with husband Kyle Baugher on the down-low.
—Emma Kershaw, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2023
Che is on board, but asks the couple to stay on the down-low to avoid issues with their building manager.
—Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 3 Aug. 2023
Today, Kennedy is trying to keep this record on the down-low, in favor of a more mainstream vibe on the stump.
—Time, 5 July 2023
In the following years, the singer and Aydin kept their relationship on the down-low, save for occasional posts on social media.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2023
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Word History
First Known Use
1992, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near down-low
Cite this Entry
“Down-low.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/down-low. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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