spy on
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on
Meanings
Watch someone secretly
Why “on”? Eyes or thoughts reach one point and stay there.
“She spied on her neighbours.”
“He spied on the shop across the road.”
Test yourself
“She spied on her neighbours.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
bear on
Same on pattern: attention
Be relevant or related to something
check on
Same on pattern: attention
Make sure someone or something is safe or all right
chew on
Same on pattern: attention
Think carefully about something for a while
dwell on
Same on pattern: attention
Spend too much time thinking or talking about something
focus on
Same on pattern: attention
Direct attention or effort on something
look on
Same on pattern: attention
Watch something happen without taking part; Regard or consider someone or something in a particular way
touch on
Same on pattern: attention
Mention a topic briefly
watch on
Same on pattern: attention
Observe an event from the sidelines without participating
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