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Synonyms

sneak preview

American  

noun

  1. a preview of a motion picture, often shown in addition to an announced film, in order to observe the reaction of the audience.

sneak preview British  

noun

  1. a screening of a film at an unexpected time to test audience reaction before its release

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
sneak preview Idioms  

  1. An advance showing of something, as in It was supposed to be bad luck but she gave the bridegroom a sneak preview of her wedding gown. This expression originated in the 1930s for a single public showing of a motion picture before its general release, and in succeeding decades was transferred to other undertakings.

Etymology

Origin of sneak preview

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sneak preview Sunday; returns in its regular 9:30 slot on Sept. 30.

From Washington Post • Sep. 7, 2018

Sneak preview: The very early stages of a Vermont Avenue light-rail line.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2018

Sneak preview: An inside look at Southern California’s newest music venue.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2017

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.