as in off-the-record
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Recent Examples of off-the-books
Whoops: Dozens die south of the border when Joe leads an off-the-books attack on human traffickers.
—
Hugh Hart, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
Few films are more overt in their 1980s-ness than the original Predator, which saw rising star Arnold Schwarzenegger playing Dutch, the leader of an elite, off-the-books team of commandos who go into Central America only to come face-to-face with an interstellar killing machine.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 9 June 2025
In 1743, Keith was sent to Fleet Prison for his off-the-books activities.
—Alexandra Cox, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
An off-the-books e-bike battery repair shop in the basement of a Queens home sparked a massive Friday morning blaze that left a firefighter and three building residents hospitalized, FDNY officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-the-books
Hugh Hart, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
Few films are more overt in their 1980s-ness than the original Predator, which saw rising star Arnold Schwarzenegger playing Dutch, the leader of an elite, off-the-books team of commandos who go into Central America only to come face-to-face with an interstellar killing machine.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 9 June 2025
In 1743, Keith was sent to Fleet Prison for his off-the-books activities.
—Alexandra Cox, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
An off-the-books e-bike battery repair shop in the basement of a Queens home sparked a massive Friday morning blaze that left a firefighter and three building residents hospitalized, FDNY officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-the-books
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-the-books
Adjective
-
Each board will meet three times a year for off-the-record discussions facilitated by Journal Sentinel reporters.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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The following account is based on Bloomberg reporting over nearly two years, including on- and off-the-record conversations with more than two dozen analysts, fund managers, traders and current and former company employees.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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There is a First World War U-boat that somehow glides from underneath Lake Michigan all the way to Croatia, commandeered by its captain, post-Armistice, for new and clandestine uses.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
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Co-created by The New York Times bestselling author Carr and season 1 creator and showrunner David DiGilio, Dark Wolf follows Ben Edwards (Taylor Kitsch) on his journey from the SEALs to the clandestine side of CIA special operations.—
Susan Young,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Rubio, who is also Trump’s national security adviser, was one of three U.S. officials to participate in a closed-door meeting with the Russian delegation on Friday in Alaska.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
20 Aug. 2025
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The revelation was made by House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) after Barr testified in a closed-door interview during the House Oversight Committee’s investigation of the federal government’s handling of Epstein’s case.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The notion of a man of Ballmer’s wealth — $153 billion; most in professional sports and top 10 on the planet — being able to procure and retain elite talent through surreptitious ways is the worst nightmare for fans of the league’s other 29 teams.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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When one fan posted a surreptitious photo of Sudeikis and Hunt hanging out at a bar, commenters warned them to not share the location.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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One person Smith communicated with was an undercover FBI agent, according to prosecutors.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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Nearly 10 years after his demise, Holliday decides to go undercover as Powers to try and get a second chance with a struggling college team at South Georgia.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The summit marked the culmination of several months of back-channel diplomacy.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This model protects against allergens like pollen and pet dander, smoke, dust, and does it all from a place of covert, inoffensive design.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
3 Oct. 2025
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The detectives’ new case takes them to a remote Arctic research station, where a member of a covert British special forces mission has been shot dead.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The house sits on the edge of the Baka neighborhood, known for its leafy streets, upscale residences and lush, private gardens.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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The development will include private parking for residents of the building along with 94 public parking spaces.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Off-the-books.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-the-books. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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