down-low

or down·low

[ doun-loh ]

adjective
  1. of or pertaining to men who secretly or discreetly have sex with other men: She once dated a down-low guy.

  2. secret; discreet; low-profile.

Idioms about down-low

  1. on the down-low,

    • (of a man) secretly or discreetly engaging in sex with other men.

    • done secretly or in a discreet manner: Okay I'll tell you, but keep it on the down-low.

Origin of down-low

1
First recorded in 1990-95; down1 + low1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use down-low in a sentence

  • The drawing-room was all dark, and the light in the hall was turned down low.

    We Ten | Lyda Farrington Kraus
  • Without another word, Mrs. Marsden turned the lamp down low, and hurried towards the front hall door.

  • The earl's eyebrows creased up over the address; they came down low on the contents.

  • Then Johnny saw the man walk to the lamp and turn the light down low, and leave the great big room.

    Friendly Fairies | Johnny Gruelle
  • I proceeded forward to ascertain the position of the leak, and came to the conclusion she was holed down low.

    The Story of Our Submarines | John Graham Bower