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• under-the-table
  under-the-table

  adjective

  transacted in secret or in an underhanded manner.
• under the table
  under the table

  adjective

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

under-the-table

American  

[uhn-der-thuh-tey-buhl] / ˈʌn dər ðəˈteɪ bəl /

adjective

1. transacted in secret or in an underhanded manner.

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under the table British  

adjective

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

2. slang drunk

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under the table Idioms  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of under-the-table

First recorded in 1945–50

Explanation

Anything that happens under-the-table is taking place secretly, like under-the-table payments that are illegal. The things on a table are easily seen, but it's not as easy to see what's happening under the table. That can help you remember that under-the-table activities are secret, covert, confidential, and sometimes illegal. If two businesses have an under-the-table agreement, no one else knows about it. If a company pays someone under-the-table, the money is not documented and therefore won't be taxed. Just about everything spies do happens under-the-table.

Example Sentences

"I just ducked under the table and I was like 'I'm not going to risk this,'" she told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

I'm keeping my battered bowler hat under the table in case you grace us with another round of radio brilliance.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

It’s a better and more transparent system than, say, local car dealers offering athletes tricked-out pickup trucks under the table.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

Reliable economic figures are hard to come by and a large portion of incomes are earned under the table in the informal sector.

From Barron's • Nov. 14, 2025

Sneaky grins, sliding his foot out from under the table.

From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist

Related Words

• banned
• criminal
• illegitimate
• illicit
• irregular
• outlawed
• prohibited
• smuggled
• unauthorized
• unconstitutional
• unlawful
• unlicensed
• unwarranted
• wrongful