Under the table: Meaning and Examples

Updated 2026-10-03 · Idiom Meanings editorial team

Quick answer: The phrase under the table means doing something secretly or illegally to avoid detection. People use it to describe hidden payments, secret deals, or actions kept away from official records and public view.

What Does "under the table" Mean?

The idiom under the table refers to transactions or activities conducted in secrecy. It specifically implies that the action is hidden from authorities, employers, or the general public because it might be illegal, unethical, or against company policy.

This phrase evokes a sense of covert maneuvering. It suggests that the participants are trying to bypass standard rules or oversight. The imagery implies hiding something beneath a surface where it cannot be seen by those who should be watching.

How People Use It Today

Modern usage often involves informal cash payments that skip tax reporting or official receipts. Employees might use it to describe unauthorized side jobs done during work hours. It also appears in discussions about secret negotiations or favors exchanged without leaving a paper trail.

Example Sentences

He paid the contractor under the table to avoid filing the necessary tax forms.
They made a deal under the table that neither company could officially acknowledge.
She received a small bonus under the table from her boss for overtime work.
The vendor agreed to lower the price if we paid under the table.
He was fired for accepting gifts under the table from suppliers.
They negotiated the merger under the table before announcing it to the press.
I heard he gets extra cash under the table for walking dogs.
The manager told us never to discuss salaries under the table.
They moved the project under the table to hide its true cost.
She found out the payment was processed under the table and reported it.

Idioms With a Similar Meaning

Off the books: This phrase focuses on financial records and accounting, whereas under the table covers any secret activity.
Back channel: This implies secret communication or diplomacy between parties, not necessarily illegal financial transactions.
On the quiet: This simply means keeping something private, without implying illegality or hidden payments.
In the shadows: This is more poetic and describes general obscurity rather than specific covert deals.
Underhanded: This describes the deceptive nature of an action itself, not the method of payment or secrecy.
Secretly: This is a general adverb for privacy, lacking the specific connotation of bypassing rules.

Opposite or Contrasting Phrases

Above board: This means completely honest, open, and following all legal and ethical standards.
In the open: This describes actions done publicly with full transparency and no attempt to hide.
On the record: This refers to statements or transactions that are officially documented and public.
Out in the open: This implies that a situation is visible to everyone, removing any element of secrecy.

When to Use It and When Not To

Use this idiom in casual conversation or journalism when describing hidden financial arrangements or secret deals. It works well in storytelling contexts where characters are engaging in covert activities that they do not want others to discover.

Avoid using it in formal legal documents or official business correspondence. It is too informal and colloquial for professional settings. Using it in a resume or formal report can make you appear unprofessional or imply unethical behavior.

Example Dialogues

Why is your neighbor's garage so full of tools?

He does handyman work under the table to pay for his hobby.

I heard the vendor offers discounts not listed on the invoice.

Yes, he handles those transactions strictly under the table.

Can we hire that freelancer without signing a contract?

No, we must not operate under the table with external staff.

Did the supplier agree to the lower rate publicly?

No, the arrangement was made entirely under the table.

Why are you meeting the competitor in a private room?

We are discussing a partnership under the table for now.

More Example Sentences

The artist sold several paintings under the table to avoid gallery commissions.
Whistleblowers often reveal deals conducted under the table by executives.
Small businesses sometimes pay wages under the table during cash shortages.
He accepted the bribe under the table and faced immediate termination.
The politician denied any contact with donors under the table.
Renters in that city often pay fees under the table to secure apartments.
The club members shared stories of matches settled under the table.
Auditors look for discrepancies indicating payments made under the table.

In Formal Writing, Say This Instead

Illegally or informally: The funds were distributed illegally rather than through official channels.
Unrecorded: Several transactions remained unrecorded in the company ledger.
Confidentially: The negotiation proceeded confidentially away from public scrutiny.
Outside official procedures: The agreement was reached outside official procedures and guidelines.
Covertly: The organization operated covertly to avoid regulatory attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is under the table always illegal?

Not always. While it often refers to tax evasion, it can also describe secret favors or informal agreements that are not strictly illegal but violate company policy or social norms.

Can I use under the table for non-money deals?

Yes. You can use it for secret favors, hidden information exchanges, or covert negotiations. The core idea is secrecy and avoiding official observation, not just cash transactions.

What is the difference between off the books and under the table?

Off the books specifically refers to financial records and accounting. Under the table is broader, covering any secret activity, including favors or negotiations, not just money.

Is it rude to say someone paid under the table?

It can be accusatory. It implies the person is breaking rules or laws. Use it carefully in conversation, as it suggests unethical or illegal behavior on the part of the subject.