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
-
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
-
Joint operations by the Civil Police and the Health Surveillance Agency have led to the closure of four clandestine factories and the arrest of 41 people, according to a statement by the government of São Paulo.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
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Instead of being purely driven by a life-changing amount of money, Carrie has feelings for Richard, having carried on a clandestine affair with him before their murder plot.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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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Though the story that White had told the undercover officers didn’t suggest an intentional killing, he was charged with murder.—
Eren Orbey,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Border czar Tom Homan received $50,000 in cash from undercover FBI agents.—
Kate Wolffe
October 9,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The summit marked the culmination of several months of back-channel diplomacy.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Checkmate has done lots of covert ops spy nonsense in comics throughout the years, and notable works with Batman on occasion.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
11 Oct. 2025
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Checkmate, which is another element that will continue in future DCU projects, is a covert watchdog agency.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Some private business owners are still trying to process the change in Florida’s gun law.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
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The wildfire has been burning on private land.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Off-the-books.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-the-books. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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