hanky-panky

American  

[hang-kee-pang-kee] / ˈhæŋ kiˈpæŋ ki /

Also hanky pank or hankey-pankey

noun

Informal.

1. unethical behavior; deceit.

   When the bank teller bought an expensive car and house, they suspected there might be some hanky-panky going on.

2. illicit sexual relations.

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hanky-panky British  

/ ˈhæŋkɪˈpæŋkɪ /

noun

1. dubious or suspicious behaviour

2. foolish behaviour or talk

3. illicit sexual relations

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Etymology

Origin of hanky-panky

1835–45; rhyming compound; compare initial h, p of higgledy-piggledy, hocus-pocus, hodgepodge ( def. ), etc.

Example Sentences

Technically, she was indicted for bank fraud relating to alleged hanky-panky on a mortgage application.

From Slate • Oct. 11, 2025

Steffen doesn’t look wholly convincing as he knocks it away, but the whistle goes for some hanky-panky in the six-yard box.

From The Guardian • Mar. 20, 2021

If an investigation finds any hanky-panky to get Wilson back in the game so quickly, the NFL needs to come down hard on the Seahawks.

From Washington Times • Nov. 10, 2017

This involves these Cubans, Hunt and a lot of hanky-panky that we have nothing to do with ourselves.”

From Salon • Nov. 22, 2015

Although she was petite, I quickly discovered that my shorthand teacher was definitely not one to tolerate any hanky-panky.

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals