Collocations for "spying"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "spying" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
spy
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- a [literary, famous, movie, covert] spy
- caught [a Russian, an enemy] spy
- [send, hire, use, train, employ] a spy
- a spy [employed] by (the government)
- [send] a spy to [snoop, find, get, kill]
- [accused, suspected] of being a spy
- spies are [tracking, following, watching]
- plays the [part, role] of a spy (in)
- is a spy in the [book, movie]
- is suspected of being a spy
- [gadgets, weapons, devices] for spies
- a [network, group] of spies
- spy (on) [Russians]
- spy on the [enemy, opponent, competition, leader, neighbor]
- was sent to spy on
- [accused, suspected] of spying (on)
- agreed to spy [for, on]
- spied on by [stalkers, reporters]
- spying on her through her window
- were you spying on me?
- game: I spy with my little eye
'spying' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):