on the Q.T.

Idioms  

1. Secretly, as in They told her on the Q.T. that she was being promoted. This slangy term, in which Q.T. is an abbreviation for “quiet,” was first recorded in 1884.

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Example Sentences

Will you be so kind as to impress him with the fact that this expedition is on the Q.T.?

From A Splendid Hazard by MacGrath, Harold

Now we aren't bullies, and perhaps, had you comforted your friend on the Q.T., and been copped doing so, we'd have let you off.

From Tell England A Study in a Generation by Raymond, Ernest

"Putting on all they can on the Q.T.," was the response.

From Malcolm Sage, Detective by Jenkins, Herbert George

I'll admit it was all right at first to run the thing on the Q.T., but that's pretty well busted up by now.

From The Zeppelin's Passenger by Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)

I’ve been after it on the Q.T., but the irate gentleman with the one lamp, who held me up on the survey, said that ‘if it was worth sellin’, by Godfrey, it was worth keepin’.’

From Lost Farm Camp by Knibbs, Harry Herbert

Related Words

• buried
• clandestine
• concealed
• covered
• covert
• dark
• invisible
• latent
• mysterious
• obscure
• private
• secluded
• underground
• undisclosed
• unknown