under the table
The phrase "under the table" is used to describe actions that are done secretly or without official approval, often in the context of illicit activities or heavy drinking.
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Definition
B2General
(informal, idiomatic)Done secretly or without official approval, often to avoid detection or legal obligations.
Example
- They paid him under the table to avoid taxes.
- The deal was made under the table, away from prying eyes.
B2Drinking
(informal, idiomatic)Consuming alcohol to the point of extreme intoxication.
Example
- He drank her under the table at the party last night.
- They were all under the table by the end of the evening.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "under the table":
on the tableat tableunder the counterunder the coversunder the carpetsub rosatable scraprun the tablekiddie tablecard tablebelow the linebehind the curtainunder glasson the down-lowbehind closed doorsbelow stairson the floordown under