hole-and-corner

[ hohl-uhn-kawr-ner ]

adjective

1. secretive; clandestine; furtive:

   The political situation was full of hole-and-corner intrigue.

2. trivial and colorless:

   She was living a hole-and-corner existence of daily drudgery.

hole-and-corner

adjective

1. informal.
   usually prenominal furtive or secretive

Word History and Origins

Origin of hole-and-corner¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

The thing was reported, and though the Tories sneered at it as a hole-and-corner meeting, Farthingale held another view.

From Project Gutenberg

The splendid plans, the world-embracing schemes with which he had dazzled her, had shrunk indeed into a hole-and-corner effort to save his own skin.

From Project Gutenberg

When there is real variety, what may be called hole-and-corner work,—conspiracy,—influence of sect or clique,—are impossible.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no getting out of it now," remarked the Professor, with a rueful face; "and I don't think you have improved matters by getting married in this hole-and-corner way.

From Project Gutenberg

For the Gideonites were one of those strange enthusiastic hole-and-corner sects that spring up naturally in the outlying suburbs of great thinking centres.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• clandestine
• covert
• furtive
• hush-hush
• unauthorized