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

The women were later detained by South Korean immigration authorities in the port city of Busan, where they had found under-the-table jobs as cleaners, before being deported last week.

From Los Angeles Times

Her mother, Mirian, had recently left an under-the-table job at a Queens restaurant that paid just $500 for 84 hours of work each week.

From Los Angeles Times

B, an excellent student, can’t afford college — not being a citizen, he can’t apply for federal aid — so his future looks like under-the-table server jobs.

From Seattle Times

The most common job for these children is under-the-table work in roofing and construction, according to teachers, social workers, labor organizers and federal investigators.

From Seattle Times

Pilot’s former CEO also extended the offer of under-the-table payments to at least 10 other executives in April, according to Berkshire’s filing.

From Washington Times

Related Words

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