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 table” is a reference to artist Robert Therrien’s 1994 sculpture, “Under the Table,” which was the very first piece of art installed at the museum when it opened in 2015.

From Los Angeles Times

The “heroes” that inspired his giant dishes rest on the counter and the influence for “Under the Table” is his actual dining table.

From Los Angeles Times

"When I found out that this year she wouldn't get to put herself forward after all her hard work I thought I am not really losing anything by giving it up without even getting my feet under the table."

From BBC

“The cops were shooting tear gas and there was a point where the barrier was right here, and they were about to shoot us. We ducked under the table and a cop said, ‘Oh, they’re just selling.’

From Los Angeles Times

Unite Here Local 11 had filed a complaint with the California labor commissioner’s office March 13, alleging that 1Fifty1 paid convention workers under the table with cash in envelopes, violating labor laws that require pay stubs showing hours worked and tax deductions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• banned www.thesaurus.com
• criminal 
• illegitimate 
• illicit 
• irregular 
• outlawed www.thesaurus.com
• prohibited 
• smuggled www.thesaurus.com
• unauthorized 
• unconstitutional 
• unlawful 
• unlicensed 
• unwarranted 
• wrongful