off-the-books

adjective

ˈȯf-ṯẖə-ˈbu̇ks 

: not reported or recorded

off-the-books transactions

off-the-books covert operations

off the books adverb

Examples of off-the-books in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Federal prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into allegations that the Los Angeles Clippers arranged secret, off-the-books sponsorship deals for Kawhi Leonard to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap, first reported by The New York Times. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Leonard, who made tens of millions in off-the-books, no-show endorsements, made out like a bandit with this settlement, especially since his $51 million contract for the coming season was not voided. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

In Disclosure Day, cybersecurity expert Daniel Kellner (O’Connor) steals files confirming alien contact from the Wardex Corporation, an off-the-books non-governmental organization. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

But statistics fail to convey the humanity of yard sales—the caprice, whimsy, and high spirits, as well as the cunning, weirdness, and heartbreak, that charge and thicken the air when two people agree to perform an off-the-books monetary transaction. — Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for off-the-books

• overlooks
• pocketbooks
• books
• cooks
• crooks
• hooks
• looks
• nooks
• rooks
• chapbooks
• cookbooks
• guidebooks