under the table

1 of 2

phrase

1

: into a stupor

can drink you under the table

2

: in a covert manner

took money under the table

under-the-table

2 of 2

adjective

un·​der-the-ta·​ble ˈən-dər-ṯẖə-ˈtā-bəl 

: covert and usually unlawful

under-the-table payoffs

Examples of under the table in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

The prospect of holding dry, cracked hands after dinner might persuade him that moisturizing under the table is the lesser offense. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 4 July 2026

Joseph Stalin—the Soviet Union’s supreme ruler from 1929 to 1953 and a murderous tyrant legendary for drinking friends and enemies under the table—was a closet oenophile, the e-mail explained. — Frankie Mills, Air Mail, 27 June 2026

Adjective

The trade comes less than a year after allegations surfaced connecting Leonard, the Clippers and an under-the-table deal with environmental company Aspiration. — Law Murray, New York Times, 9 July 2026

In addition, enterprising souls would indubitably turn to open-source generative AI and enlist AI mental health support under-the-table and under-the-radar of such laws. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1948, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for under the table

• allocable
• educable
• irrigable
• purchasable
• thermostable
• able
• chaebol
• fable
• label
• sable
• stabile
• stable