Under the Table.
English
idiom
Done secretly, often referring to illegal activities or unreported payments.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
Done secretly, often referring to illegal activities or unreported payments.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
Done secretly and usually illegally, especially involving money.
When something is done under the table, it happens outside of official channels to avoid taxes, rules, or detection.
It is often used to describe cash payments or deals made to bypass regulations.
"Off the Books"
—
Not recorded in official accounts, often to avoid taxes or scrutiny
"Behind Closed Doors"
—
Done privately or secretly, but not necessarily illegally
"Under the Table"
—
A secret or illegal transaction, typically involving money
I heard some of the vendors are getting paid under the table — is that true?
I don't know, but that would be a serious compliance issue if it is.
He offered to pay me cash under the table for the extra shifts.
Be careful — that could get you in trouble with tax authorities.
Do you think small businesses often pay staff under the table?
More than people realize — it's very common in cash-heavy industries.
