hanky-panky

or han·key-pan·key

[ hang-kee-pang-kee ]

noun

, Informal.

1. unethical behavior; deceit:

   When the bank teller bought an expensive car and house, they suspected there might be some hanky-panky going on.

2. illicit sexual relations.

hanky-panky

/ ˈhæŋkɪˈpæŋkɪ /

noun

1. dubious or suspicious behaviour
2. foolish behaviour or talk
3. illicit sexual relations

Word History and Origins

Origin of hanky-panky¹

1835–45; rhyming compound; compare initial h, p of higgledy-piggledy, hocus-pocus, hodgepodge ( def ), etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hanky-panky¹

C19: variant of hocus-pocus

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, What Kind of Hanky-Panky Is Going on Over at the Department of Health and Human Services?

From The Daily Beast

Those who are fasting must abstain from eating, drinking (even water), smoking, and hanky-panky of any sorts.

From The Daily Beast

Clarkson wears four-inch Gucci sandals, a chic, black, off-the-rack Italian dress and red Hanky Panky underwear (so she says).

From The Daily Beast

I knew from other reading that no firm had been more deeply involved in pre-1929 financial hanky-panky than it had.

From The Daily Beast

I remember being shocked not by the explicit carnality but by the confusion and hanky-panky, and the unhappiness.

From The Daily Beast

These scientists have worked miracles before which those of the ancient priests and magicians are mere tricks of hanky-panky.

From Project Gutenberg

If you play any hanky-panky tricks—look here, Da Souza, I'll kill you, sure!

From Project Gutenberg

Some hanky-panky with regimental money; every one knows how India plays the devil with a man's sense of right and wrong.

From Project Gutenberg

I'll put up with no hanky-panky work from Mrs. Cummers Portheris, my dear—and well she knows it!'

From Project Gutenberg

He had no idea I wasn't interested in his other hanky-panky, but could tell I had had a low blow.

From Project Gutenberg