PhrasesHub

Peeping Tom

    Definitions

      • someone who spies on others
        To refer to someone who secretly watches or observes others, especially in a voyeuristic or invasive manner

      • a curious onlooker
        To describe someone who is overly curious or nosy, often in a way that makes others uncomfortable

    Examples of Peeping Tom

    • As soon as the actress changed into her nightgown, a Peeping Tom was caught lurking outside her window.

      This example is using the idiom Peeping Tom to describe a person who secretly watches others, often in a voyeuristic or intrusive way. Here, the Peeping Tom is captured spying on the actress as she gets dressed for bed.

    • The neighborhood watch program has reported several instances of a Peeping Tom wandering around at night.

      This example shows how the Peeping Tom idiom can be used to refer to a person who repeatedly engages in voyeuristic behavior. The watch program has identified multiple instances of this person spying on others.

    • She spotted a Peeping Tom in the bushes as she was leaving her apartment building.

      This example demonstrates how the Peeping Tom idiom can help to describe the act of spying or observing someone without their knowledge or consent. Here, the woman is leaving her apartment building when she sees a Peeping Tom hiding in the bushes, watching her.

    • There have been reports of a Peeping Tom in the neighborhood, but the police have not been able to identify the suspect.

      This final example demonstrates how the Peeping Tom idiom can be used to refer to an unknown or unidentified person engaging in espionage or voyeuristic behavior. In this case, there have been several reports of a Peeping Tom in the area, but the police have not been able to track down the culprit.

    • The police caught the suspected burglar peeping through the window of his intended victim's house.

      In this example, "peeping" is used as a verb, in the present continuous tense, to describe the action of the suspect. A "peeping Tom" is a person who enjoys spying or secretly observing others, especially women. In this context, the suspect's behavior of peeping through the window can be considered as voyeuristic and intrusive, making it a criminal offense.

    • She felt like a peeping Tom as she glanced through the keyhole.

      In this example, "peeping Tom" is used as a noun, in the present tense, to describe the person's feeling of being like a voyeur or intruder while peeking through the keyhole. This idiom can also be used figuratively to describe someone who is being nosy or observing another's private activity without permission.

    • The news of the break-in sent shivers down my spine, as I imagined my house being watched by a peeping Tom.

      In this example, "peeping Tom" is used as a noun, in the present tense, in a figurative sense, as the speaker's imagination leads them to believe that someone might be spying on their house. This idiom can also be used to create a sense of fear or discomfort, especially in situations where privacy is crucial.

    • The director caught the lead actress peeping into the camera during a crucial scene.

      In this example, "peeping" is used as a verb, in the present perfect tense, to describe the actress's action of unintentionally peering into the camera lens during a filmed scene. This idiom can also be used to describe someone who is being distracted or breaking character during a performance, leading to retakes or loss of focus in the scene.Each of these examples demonstrates the varied contexts in which the idiom "Peeping Tom" can be used, highlighting its flexibility in different situations to describe various types of behavior related to spying, intrusion, voyeurism, or distraction.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Peeping Tom" can be used to describe both someone who spies on others in a secretive or invasive manner, as well as someone who is overly curious or nosy. In both cases, the term carries a negative connotation, implying that the person's behavior is inappropriate or intrusive.

    Origin of "Peeping Tom"

    The origin of the idiom "Peeping Tom" can be traced back to the legendary story of Lady Godiva, an 11th-century English noblewoman. According to the story, Lady Godiva rode naked through the streets of Coventry to protest her husband's oppressive taxation of the townspeople. She requested that the townspeople remain indoors and close their shutters to give her privacy during her ride. However, one man named Tom could not resist the temptation to peep at her, and as a result, he was struck blind.

    This story led to the term "Peeping Tom" being used to describe someone who spies on others or engages in voyeuristic behavior. Over time, the idiom has evolved to also include the concept of nosy or overly curious behavior, reflecting a broader meaning beyond the original legend.