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
This latest Venice premiere is definitely a work of fragments, isolated scenes that amount to a fly-on-the-wall view of Lucius but are not meant to create a traditional narrative, or for the pieces to fit together as neatly as a jigsaw puzzle.
—Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
That fly-on-the-wall approach ensures that, if Megalopolis provoked its share of critical battles, Megadoc will serve as evidence for all sides of the debate.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
His leadership role stood out in a recent six-part documentary series released by the club on YouTube, Sans jamais rien lacher (Never Give Up), which gave viewers a fly-on-the-wall perspective on De Zerbi’s first season in the dug-out.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
The show was conceived as a spiritual (but not official) successor to The Osbournes, the anarchic fly-on-the-wall series that aired on MTV between 2002 and 2005.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
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Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
That fly-on-the-wall approach ensures that, if Megalopolis provoked its share of critical battles, Megadoc will serve as evidence for all sides of the debate.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
His leadership role stood out in a recent six-part documentary series released by the club on YouTube, Sans jamais rien lacher (Never Give Up), which gave viewers a fly-on-the-wall perspective on De Zerbi’s first season in the dug-out.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
The show was conceived as a spiritual (but not official) successor to The Osbournes, the anarchic fly-on-the-wall series that aired on MTV between 2002 and 2005.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fly-on-the-wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fly-on-the-wall. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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