Idiom:  a fly on the wall

A fly perched on the wall is listening to a couple talk. Caption: I'd love to be a fly on the wall when my father explains to my mother that he spent $1,200 on a new set of golf clubs.

Meaning

Idiom:  a fly on the wall

  • to be able to secretly hear and observe something


Example sentences

— My manager just got called into the director’s office.  Oh, how I’d love to be a fly on the wall!

— I’d like to be a fly on the wall when the committee reviews our applications.

— Our teacher just got called into the principal's office and I wish I could be a fly on the wall!

— A: What are they arguing about?" B:  "I don't know but I wish I were a fly on the wall!"

— He acted cool about it, but I bet my boyfriend wanted to be a fly on the wall when my ex-fiancé stopped by to talk to me.

—  A:  What are you doing leaning against the wall?  B:  "Trying to be a fly on the wall."

—  If I could only be a fly on the wall when she tells her parents she's already gotten divorced.

—  What I would have given to have been a fly on the wall when the director fired the receptionist.

—  I'd love to be a fly on the wall when the admissions officer reads my application.

—  The directors of all went into the conference room emergency meeting.  I'd love to be a fly on the wall right now. 

—  Sarah just left the room to take a call from her ex-boyfriend and I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

—  I know you'd love to be a fly on the wall but you're going to have to trust your girlfriend when she gets phone calls from her ex-boyfriend.

—  You can't be a fly on the wall but you could  hide a voice recorder in the room- but I'm pretty sure that's illegal.

—  I wasn't same room but they were yelling so loudly I felt like a fly on the wall listening to their argument.

—  When I opened the door quickly, I could tell my assistant had had her ear pressed up against the door trying to listen to our conversation like a fly on the wall.

—  I'd love to be a fly on the wall when my parents talk to my sister about the birth control pills they found in her room. 

Synonyms

  • spy on someone
  • little pitcher with big ears


You might like these idioms

up to one's eyeballs

bird's eye view

keep one's head above water

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