Meaning & use
under the table
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
Done secretly and usually illegally, especially paying money without reporting it officially.
Grammar: Often used after verbs like pay, give, or accept: They paid him under the table.
Patterns
- pay someone under the table
- under-the-table payment
- under-the-table deal
- money under the table
The restaurant owner paid some workers under the table to avoid taxes.
He received an under-the-table payment for the contract.
The company was fined for making under-the-table deals with suppliers.
phrasefixed phrase
Secretly, especially when hiding something from authorities or the public.
Grammar: Used as an adverbial phrase: They settled the matter under the table.
Patterns
- do something under the table
- keep something under the table
The two politicians tried to keep the agreement under the table.
She suspected that the deal was done under the table.
Common combinations
- pay under the table
- Many small businesses pay under the table to avoid paperwork.
- under-the-table payment
- The audit revealed several under-the-table payments to consultants.
- under-the-table deal
- The under-the-table deal was never officially recorded.
- money under the table
- He accepted money under the table and later regretted it.
Synonyms and how they differ
- off the books
- Means not officially recorded in financial accounts; under the table often implies illegality more strongly.
- secretly
- A general adverb meaning without others knowing; under the table specifically suggests illegality or rule-breaking.
- illegally
- Focuses on breaking the law; under the table can also describe something merely unofficial or hidden.
Opposites
Commonly confused: under the table or under the counter? under the table or under the radar?
under the table vs under the counter
Under the counter also means secretly, but it often refers to selling goods illegally or without permission, while under the table usually involves money and taxes.
under the table vs under the radar
Under the radar means not attracting attention, but it does not necessarily imply illegality; under the table almost always suggests something dishonest.
Practice
The company was accused of paying workers ______ to avoid paying taxes.
Choose one answer.
'Under the table' is the fixed phrase meaning secretly and illegally, which fits the context of avoiding taxes. 'On the table' means offered for discussion, 'above the table' is not a common idiom for honesty (the usual phrase is 'above board'), and 'at the table' means seated for a meal or negotiation.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “under the table”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.