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

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

Due to water damage, the now-warped back door would not close; he drilled plywood into the frames to secure the restaurant.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

“I don’t think he will let the minutes be a back door to something he doesn’t want the market to look at.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026

And so it looks like that unlike Salah and Robertson last week, Konate will quietly exit through the back door.

From BBC ● May 29, 2026

I guess Mr. Crabtree came in the back door that day and didn’t know what had happened to the bear, because the first announcement was all about the outstanding fire-prevention display by the second grade.

From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson

Related Words

• side door