back door

British  

noun

1. a door at the rear or side of a building

2. 1. a means of entry to a job, position, etc, that is secret, underhand, or obtained through influence

   2. ( as modifier )

      a backdoor way of making firms pay more

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back door Idioms  

1. An entry at the rear of a building, as in Deliveries are supposed to be made at the back door only . [First half of 1500s]

2. A clandestine, unauthorized, or illegal way of operating. For example, Salesmen are constantly trying to push their products by offering special gifts through the back door . This term alludes to the fact that the back door cannot be seen from the front. [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

back door

“Come on, Gus,” Roebuck said, trying to let the dog out the back door to investigate.

From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026

Her daughter was able to exit a school building, physically unharmed, through a back door, she said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 9, 2026

As he fled, Franco’s daughter opened her bedroom door and caught a glimpse of a man in black clothing running out a back door.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

“I don’t think he will let the minutes be a back door to something he doesn’t want the market to look at.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026

I heard the back door slam, and Mama came running; wanting to know what in the world was going on.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• side door