ulterior motive

[ uhl-teer-ee-er moh-tiv ]

noun

1. a secret reason for doing something; a purpose, often the main purpose, that is kept hidden:

   When his enemy the Sheriff of Nottingham calls for an archery contest, Robin Hood suspects an ulterior motive, namely, to flush Robin out of hiding.

   It turns out she had an ulterior motive for being so friendly and helpful—she was a con artist hoping to sign me up.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ulterior motive¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

"It felt like somebody had access to your personal thoughts, your relationships. And they had an ulterior motive. They're not there to be an observer — they're there to take something and use it and potentially hurt people I love and care about," Botha described.

From Salon

Police told the BBC this case was an example of criminals with an ulterior motive taking over a well-run business that was already established in the importing and exporting of produce and less likely to arouse suspicions.

From BBC

Some residents worry about the extra spectators who will be able to visit the site every day; others believe the All England Club's ulterior motive is to build a hotel complex on the site.

From BBC

But she has an ulterior motive in shrewdly finagling her way into a job at an esteemed Chicago law firm, which is revealed by the end of the hour and sets the season in motion.

From Los Angeles Times

Score points at California Pizza Kitchen If we’re not too hungry, we’ll just go to the food court, but if I really want to score some points — or if I have an ulterior motive — I’ll take my wife to California Pizza Kitchen.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambition
• aspiration
• desire
• determination
• direction
• function
• goal
• idea
• intent
• objective
• plan
• principle
• project
• reason
• scheme
• scope
• view
• wish