under-the-table

[uhn-der-thuh-tey-buhl]

adjective

1. transacted in secret or in an underhanded manner.

under the table

adjective

1. (under-the-table when prenominal) done illicitly and secretly

2. slang,  drunk

Word History and Origins

Origin of under the table¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Idioms and Phrases

In secret, as in They paid her under the table so as to avoid taxes. This term alludes to money being passed under a table in some shady transaction, such as a bribe. [Mid-1900s] Also see under the counter.

Related Words

• banned www.thesaurus.com
• criminal 
• illegitimate 
• illicit 
• irregular 
• outlawed www.thesaurus.com
• prohibited 
• smuggled www.thesaurus.com
• unauthorized 
• unconstitutional 
• unlawful 
• unlicensed 
• unwarranted 
• wrongful