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
Seth DavisThe spot was called Houston's. Dimly lit, it was a restaurant on the down-low.—Sister Souljah
—abbreviation DL
Sister SouljahExamples of down-low in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Minahan reduces the period story to cosmetics rather than capturing the down-low essence of the pre-Stonewall era.
—Armond White, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025
Club 33 stays on the down-low with discreet rules and a dress code.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Swift’s relationship with Joe Alwyn was kept on the down-low, but her relationship with Kelce has been lived in the spotlight for the most part.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 7 Apr. 2025
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
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.
Armond White, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025
Club 33 stays on the down-low with discreet rules and a dress code.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Swift’s relationship with Joe Alwyn was kept on the down-low, but her relationship with Kelce has been lived in the spotlight for the most part.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 7 Apr. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Down-low.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/down-low. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share