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

Though some work under the table, many others use false identities and Social Security numbers, contributing payroll taxes to benefits they will never be able to claim.

From Los Angeles Times

With All Black great Aaron Smith retiring after last year’s World Cup, new coach Scott Robertson getting his feet under the table and Roigard having lit up the Super Rugby season, the 23-year-old was presumed by most to be New Zealand’s new first-choice scrum-half.

From BBC

That's how the contradiction gets shuffled under the table.

From Salon

At a dinner during my visit, they held hands under the table.

From Salon

Smith’s previous indictment laid out how Trump was saying to them, There’s evidence of fraud, what about the suitcases under the table in Georgia?

From Slate

Related Words

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