hole-and-corner

American  

[hohl-uhn-kawr-ner] / ˈhoʊl ənˈkɔr nər /

Also hole-in-corner

adjective

1. secretive; clandestine; furtive.

   The political situation was full of hole-and-corner intrigue.

2. trivial and colorless.

   She was living a hole-and-corner existence of daily drudgery.

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hole-and-corner British  

adjective

1. informal (usually prenominal) furtive or secretive

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Etymology

Origin of hole-and-corner

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

The splendid plans, the world-embracing schemes with which he had dazzled her, had shrunk indeed into a hole-and-corner effort to save his own skin.

From Project Gutenberg

When there is real variety, what may be called hole-and-corner work,—conspiracy,—influence of sect or clique,—are impossible.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no getting out of it now," remarked the Professor, with a rueful face; "and I don't think you have improved matters by getting married in this hole-and-corner way.

From Project Gutenberg

For the Gideonites were one of those strange enthusiastic hole-and-corner sects that spring up naturally in the outlying suburbs of great thinking centres.

From Project Gutenberg

There was to be no hole-and-corner business about the great coup.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• clandestine
• covert
• furtive
• hush-hush
• unauthorized