(under-the-table when prenominal) done illicitly and secretly
slang drunk
First recorded in 1945–50
Anything that happens under-the-table is taking place secretly, like under-the-table payments that are illegal. The things on a table are easily seen, but it's not as easy to see what's happening under the table. That can help you remember that under-the-table activities are secret, covert, confidential, and sometimes illegal. If two businesses have an under-the-table agreement, no one else knows about it. If a company pays someone under-the-table, the money is not documented and therefore won't be taxed. Just about everything spies do happens under-the-table.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The jury will weigh testimony and evidence that is expected to offer a rare, under-the-hood glimpse at the often messy process of how daily journalism is produced.
From New York Times • Jan. 23, 2022
Its file structure contains folders labelled as containing payout information, business documents, under-the-hood software files and code, and even details of unreleased projects.
From BBC • Oct. 7, 2021
Image: Google A few other features Google has already announced a bunch of features in earlier developer betas, most of which are under-the-hood kind of features.
From The Verge • May 18, 2021
Although its appearance hasn't changed much, however, this is one instance in which under-the-hood changes make a huge difference.
From Washington Post • Sep. 14, 2017
If it does, there are a hundred opportunities for under-the-hood optimizations.
From Slate • Feb. 24, 2015
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
