through the back door
idiom
: in a secret or indirect way
He managed to get into the private club through the back door because he has a friend who works there.
accessing the computer security system through the back door
Examples of through the back door in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And through the back door were lines of trees similar to the ones out front.
—
Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
The officers responded early on March 14 to Cambridge Square Apartments on Promontory Drive after a resident at the apartment complex called 911 saying a man with a knife was trying to break into their apartment through the back door.
—The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024
But while the home was unoccupied, the woman broke in through the back door and moved in, furniture and all, Shelton said.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Four days later, Gordon went into a Richardson store through the back door and aimed a gun at an employee, according to the news release.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2024
This is a third repeat violation. 5 violations Brio, 2150 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert
An employee entered the establishment through the back door and started working in the food prep area without washing his hands.
—Michael Braga, The Arizona Republic, 28 Feb. 2024
Paramedics drove in through the back alley but their gurney wouldn’t fit through the back door.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2024
Someone broke into a residence through the back door and stole passports, cash and approximately $12,000 worth of jade jewelry and purses.
—Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024
After attempting to kick in the front door, Plainfield Police Department officers were able to enter the house through the back door.
—Brad Parks, CNN, 17 Oct. 2023
Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
The officers responded early on March 14 to Cambridge Square Apartments on Promontory Drive after a resident at the apartment complex called 911 saying a man with a knife was trying to break into their apartment through the back door.
—The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024
But while the home was unoccupied, the woman broke in through the back door and moved in, furniture and all, Shelton said.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Four days later, Gordon went into a Richardson store through the back door and aimed a gun at an employee, according to the news release.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2024
This is a third repeat violation. 5 violations Brio, 2150 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert
An employee entered the establishment through the back door and started working in the food prep area without washing his hands.
—Michael Braga, The Arizona Republic, 28 Feb. 2024
Paramedics drove in through the back alley but their gurney wouldn’t fit through the back door.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2024
Someone broke into a residence through the back door and stole passports, cash and approximately $12,000 worth of jade jewelry and purses.
—Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024
After attempting to kick in the front door, Plainfield Police Department officers were able to enter the house through the back door.
—Brad Parks, CNN, 17 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'through the back door.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near through the back door
Cite this Entry
“Through the back door.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/through%20the%20back%20door. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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