cloak-and-dagger

American  

[klohk-uhn-dag-er] / ˈkloʊk ənˈdæg ər /

adjective

1. pertaining to, characteristic of, or dealing in espionage or intrigue, especially of a romantic or dramatic kind.

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cloak-and-dagger British  

noun

1. (modifier) characteristic of or concerned with intrigue and espionage

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Etymology

Origin of cloak-and-dagger

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Mr. Corera is well-versed in the cloak-and-dagger world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

“It’s not cloak-and-dagger stuff,” he told the newspaper in 1985.

From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2023

The first tenet is the reason my sister-in-law was being so cloak-and-dagger; she was trying to respect the taboo against spreading bad news.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2023

I was pleased your film opens with a personal story, gets a bit cloak-and-dagger, turns into an action film and ends up being a conspiracy movie.

From Salon • Feb. 11, 2022

Manning was confused by the cloak-and-dagger directions, but couldn’t pass up a chance to get Ellsberg on Cronkite’s show.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin