peek
peek — verb
- peekpresent simple I / you / we / they
- peeks3rd person singular
- peeking-ing form
- peekedpast simple
1. to look at something quickly and often secretly, especially from a hidden place
to look at something quickly and often secretly, especially from a hidden place or when you are not supposed to be seen looking.
Tomás peeked through the curtains to see who was ringing the bell.
peek through + curtain / door / window
The children could not resist peeking at the gifts before the party began.
peek at + gifts / presents / surprise
Abigail peeked into the meeting room to check if the boss had arrived.
Walid peeked around the corner and saw his friends holding a birthday cake.
- peep
very similar but often suggests looking through a narrow opening or hole
- glance
a quick look that is not necessarily secretive or hidden
- sneak a look
an informal phrasal equivalent, emphasising the secretive nature
- stare
a long, fixed look, the opposite of a brief glance
文法句型
peek + at/into/through/around + noun
用法筆記
Unlike 'look', 'peek' always suggests a brief or secretive glance. It never takes a direct object — use a preposition such as 'at', 'into', 'through', or 'around' before the thing being looked at.
常見錯誤
2. to be partly visible, sticking out from behind or under something so that only a
to be partly visible, sticking out from behind or under something so that only a small part can be seen.
The top of an old tower peeked above the thick trees on the hill.
peek above + noun — for things partly visible above a surface
Dahlia's red scarf peeked out from under her heavy winter coat.
A small patch of blue sky peeked through the grey clouds after the storm.
The tip of a pencil peeked out of Samir's shirt pocket.
文法句型
peek + out/through/above/from
用法筆記
This sense describes the appearance of an object, not a deliberate action by a person. It commonly appears with directional phrases such as 'out', 'through', 'above', or 'from behind'. The subject is the thing that is partly hidden.
常見錯誤
peek — noun
1. a quick and often secret look at someone or something, usually lasting only a mo
a quick and often secret look at someone or something, usually lasting only a moment.
Anya took a quick peek at the answer sheet before putting it away.
take a peek at + noun
Rin had a peek inside the dusty old box and found some old photographs.
Nkechi stole a peek at her watch during the long ceremony.
Cyrus gave his little sister a peek at the photos on his camera.
文法句型
have/take/get + a peek + at/inside
用法筆記
Frequently used in light-verb constructions such as 'take a peek', 'have a peek', 'get a peek', or 'steal a peek'. Unlike the verb sense, the noun can follow the preposition 'at' or 'inside' but NOT 'through' or 'around'.