phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

On the DL

Posted by BL on September 17, 2007

I was looking for the phrase "On the DL" (On the down low) but you didn't have it listed. I found "On the QT" which is very similar. I am curious as to how "On the DL" came to be. It is used most commonly when referring to extramarital affairs but more specifically to affairs that are homo-sexual in nature.
Examples:

In General reference "Lets keep this on the DL" Same as "on the QT"
Referring to an affair "I have been seeing her on the DL"
Referring to a homo-sexual affair "He has been creepin on DL"

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.