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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of down-low was in 1992

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.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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