under-the-table

adjective

un·​der-the-ta·​ble ˈən-dər-ṯẖə-ˈtā-bəl How to pronounce under-the-table (audio)
: covert and usually unlawful
under-the-table payoffs

Examples of under-the-table in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In it, deaf canteen employee Alison Brooks (Rose Ayling-Ellis) lands an under-the-table gig as a covert lip reader for the police and finagles her way into the apex of an upcoming heist operation. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025 In the preview for the new episode, the plotline introduced in the season premiere appears to continue, with Trump continuing his relationship with Satan, including some under-the-table groping at a black tie event and, of course, Eric Cartman lambasting everyone around him. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2025 Both Israel and Qatar have been accused by their respective critics of flouting U.S. law by employing under-the-table foreign influence efforts. Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 28 July 2025 All of the under-the-table deals are out in the open, generally speaking, and folks are upset. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for under-the-table

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of under-the-table was in 1948

Cite this Entry

“Under-the-table.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under-the-table. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

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