under-the-table

[uhn-der-thuh-tey-buhl]

adjective

1. transacted in secret or in an underhanded manner.

under the table

adjective

1. (under-the-table when prenominal) done illicitly and secretly

2. slang,  drunk

Word History and Origins

Origin of under the table¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Idioms and Phrases

In secret, as in They paid her under the table so as to avoid taxes. This term alludes to money being passed under a table in some shady transaction, such as a bribe. [Mid-1900s] Also see under the counter.

Example Sentences

The women were later detained by South Korean immigration authorities in the port city of Busan, where they had found under-the-table jobs as cleaners, before being deported last week.

From Los Angeles Times

Her mother, Mirian, had recently left an under-the-table job at a Queens restaurant that paid just $500 for 84 hours of work each week.

From Los Angeles Times

B, an excellent student, can’t afford college — not being a citizen, he can’t apply for federal aid — so his future looks like under-the-table server jobs.

From Seattle Times

The most common job for these children is under-the-table work in roofing and construction, according to teachers, social workers, labor organizers and federal investigators.

From Seattle Times

Pilot’s former CEO also extended the offer of under-the-table payments to at least 10 other executives in April, according to Berkshire’s filing.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• banned www.thesaurus.com
• criminal 
• illegitimate 
• illicit 
• irregular 
• outlawed www.thesaurus.com
• prohibited 
• smuggled www.thesaurus.com
• unauthorized 
• unconstitutional 
• unlawful 
• unlicensed 
• unwarranted 
• wrongful