Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for fly on the wall. Search instead for wag-on-the-wall.
Synonyms

fly on the wall

Idioms  
  1. An unseen observer or listener, as in I wish I could be a fly on the wall when she tells him she's pregnant. [Mid-1900s]


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.

See Examples For:

I started when I was 26 and I felt like I got to be a fly on the wall in so many incredible scenes with all-star actors.

From Los Angeles Times May 26, 2026

"I've always wanted to be a fly on the wall and see what he's saying about our lads," said Tuipulotu.

From Barron's Feb. 20, 2026

At 6′7″ tall, Smith knows he's rarely a fly on the wall when he arrives in a community with a camera.

From Scientific American Oct. 17, 2023

I wanted it to be a fun ride and have people rooting for this family but also feeling they are with us as either a fly on the wall or part of this family.

From Salon Sep. 29, 2023

He tries to be a fly on the wall, and lets us talk among ourselves, giving advice and guiding us only when he needs to.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training