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

---

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]

---

Example Sentences

“I said I was going to the bathroom but left out the back door. My father lied to you.”

From Literature

I drew him out of the back door of the shop and up the stairs to the dining room.

From Literature

She came in the back door, stamping the snow off her boots.

From Literature

For example, they might create a “back door” that an external adversary could take advantage of, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

But by then Lloyd was halfway to the back door, and Dad right on his heels.

From Literature

Related Words

• side door