hanky-panky

noun

han·​ky-pan·​ky ˌhaŋ-kē-ˈpaŋ-kē 

1

informal : sexual activity especially when regarded as somewhat improper

We thought there was some hanky-panky going on between them.

… if there was hanky-panky in the office, it was entirely discreet …

—Jonathan Galassi

Today's Judeo-Christian culture has not shed this propensity to cheat. (If there weren't any hanky-panky, we wouldn't need the seventh commandment.)

—Daniel Engber

2

informal : questionable or underhanded activity

warned them not to try any hanky-panky

financial/political hanky-panky

Synonyms

• artifice
• chicane
• chicanery
• gamesmanship
• jiggery-pokery
• jugglery
• legerdemain
• skulduggery
• skullduggery
• subterfuge
• trickery
• wile

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

hanky-panky

noun

han·​ky-pan·​ky

ˌhaŋ-kē-ˈpaŋ-kē

: questionable or sneaky activity : trickery