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
The owner of the SPARC cannabis company began growing medical marijuana on the down-low in 1998.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
The Christophers introduces itself as another indie spin on a familiar conceit, then heads in a much more empathetic direction than Soderbergh’s usual portrayal of burglars on the down-low.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Consider keeping plans on the down-low for a few more days.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026
Some do it on the down-low while others use nonnative and albino snakes, like Molieri does.
—Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026
Gasseau, the Bruins’ seventh-round pick in 2021, managed down-low coverage in the defensive zone.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Wiener, in his on-the-down-low shadow campaign, has raised a bit over $1 million, not nearly enough.
—Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Really a drug dealer on the down-low.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Here are five takeaways about how the venue kept the concert on the down-low, what Kelly wore and the odds of an MGK tour.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
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John Ramos, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
The Christophers introduces itself as another indie spin on a familiar conceit, then heads in a much more empathetic direction than Soderbergh’s usual portrayal of burglars on the down-low.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Consider keeping plans on the down-low for a few more days.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026
Some do it on the down-low while others use nonnative and albino snakes, like Molieri does.
—Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026
Gasseau, the Bruins’ seventh-round pick in 2021, managed down-low coverage in the defensive zone.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Wiener, in his on-the-down-low shadow campaign, has raised a bit over $1 million, not nearly enough.
—Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Really a drug dealer on the down-low.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Here are five takeaways about how the venue kept the concert on the down-low, what Kelly wore and the odds of an MGK tour.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Down-low.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/down-low. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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