fly-on-the-wall
adjective
ˈflī-ȯn-ṯẖə-ˈwȯl 
-än-
: having or involving an inconspicuous but effective point of observation
fly-on-the-wall observations of aspects of daily life—
Will Manley
Will ManleyExamples of fly-on-the-wall in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s the extensive fly-on-the-wall footage shot by direct cinema pioneers Albert and David Maysles over 14 whirlwind days, starting with the Beatles’ arrival at JFK International Airport in New York.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Nov. 2024
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archewell Productions is behind the fly-on-the-wall look at global stars and teams competing at the high-stakes U.S. Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
The expansive interview-laden liner notes and fly-on-the-wall session tapes provide illuminating context, and Sean’s mixes render tracks originally made for the muddy mono of AM radio in vital clarity for the AirPod era.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Popular on Variety Embracing a fly-on-the-wall approach, Stenson and Roher take their time to introduce the family at their home in Montreal.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
Students learn basic ethnographic research methods, including fly-on-the-wall observation and interviewing.
—Roxanne Varzi, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2024
Here and elsewhere, directors Osborn and Vasquez discretely achieve a riveting fly-on-the-wall intimacy with their subjects, capturing unguarded moments that are by turns affecting and amusing.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 30 Aug. 2024
Looking for great fly-on-the-wall looks at subcultures, obsessions, and stories of incredible artistry?
—Eric Farwell and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2024
Because these conversations were taped as deep background over many hours, and not an hour or two of talk to be immediately funneled into a magazine article, there’s a certain expansive, fly-on-the-wall informality to them, especially when McDowall is in the room and participating.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2024
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David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Nov. 2024
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archewell Productions is behind the fly-on-the-wall look at global stars and teams competing at the high-stakes U.S. Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
The expansive interview-laden liner notes and fly-on-the-wall session tapes provide illuminating context, and Sean’s mixes render tracks originally made for the muddy mono of AM radio in vital clarity for the AirPod era.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Popular on Variety Embracing a fly-on-the-wall approach, Stenson and Roher take their time to introduce the family at their home in Montreal.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
Students learn basic ethnographic research methods, including fly-on-the-wall observation and interviewing.
—Roxanne Varzi, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2024
Here and elsewhere, directors Osborn and Vasquez discretely achieve a riveting fly-on-the-wall intimacy with their subjects, capturing unguarded moments that are by turns affecting and amusing.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 30 Aug. 2024
Looking for great fly-on-the-wall looks at subcultures, obsessions, and stories of incredible artistry?
—Eric Farwell and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2024
Because these conversations were taped as deep background over many hours, and not an hour or two of talk to be immediately funneled into a magazine article, there’s a certain expansive, fly-on-the-wall informality to them, especially when McDowall is in the room and participating.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near fly-on-the-wall
Cite this Entry
“Fly-on-the-wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fly-on-the-wall. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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