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

“Do you know you could be eligible for Roth contributions? They’re looking at the back door when they could go through the front door,” she said.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026

While an important U.S. ally in the region, the U.A.E. also maintains longstanding cultural and economic ties with Iran that have given Tehran a crucial back door to the global financial system.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

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

From Slate ● Sep. 17, 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 ran through the theater and followed him as he slipped out the back door and into a little alley.

From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

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Related Words

• side door

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