under the counter

under the counter
   illegal
   The physical reality with many scarce goods in war-torn countries:
    This gave him access to what extras were being kept under the counter. (Teisser du Croix, 1962, writing of Paris in the Second World War)
   Now used figuratively of transactions involving stolen goods, wages paid without deduction of tax, etc.:
    ... called for an end of 'shamateurism', the nudge-nudge, wink-wink under-thecounter payments and perks to leading players. (Daily Telegraph, 5 February 1994)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • under the counter — {adv. phr.}, {informal} Secretly (bought or sold). * /That book has been banned, but there is one place you can get it under the counter./ * /The liquor dealer was arrested for selling beer under the counter to teenagers./ Also used like an… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • under the counter — {adv. phr.}, {informal} Secretly (bought or sold). * /That book has been banned, but there is one place you can get it under the counter./ * /The liquor dealer was arrested for selling beer under the counter to teenagers./ Also used like an… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • under the counter — ► goods or services that are sold or available under the counter can be bought or obtained secretly and sometimes illegally: »Pirate DVDs are available under the counter in pubs and clubs everywhere. »under the counter deals Main Entry: ↑counter …   Financial and business terms

  • under-the-counter — adj informal under the counter goods are bought or sold secretly, especially because they are illegal …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • under the counter — ► under the counter (or table) (with reference to goods bought or sold) surreptitiously and illegally. Main Entry: ↑counter …   English terms dictionary

  • under-the-counter — [un′dər thətā′bəlun′dər thə koun′tər] adj. Informal done, sold, given, etc. secretly in an unlawful or unethical way: also under the table [un′dər thətā′bəl] …   English World dictionary

  • under-the-counter — adjective bought or sold secretly or illegally …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • under the counter — adverb : in a stealthy or surreptitious manner : illicitly and privately : according to an arrangement that does not apply to a total clientele * * * under the counter phrase bought or sold secretly and illegally They sell pornography under the… …   Useful english dictionary

  • under-the-counter — adjective done or sold illicitly and secretly • Similar to: ↑illegal * * * | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adjective of a sale : made from concealed stocks of scarce or rare goods or goods priced below the legal fixed price; broadly : unlawful, illicit …   Useful english dictionary

  • Under the Counter — Infobox Album | Name = Under the Counter Type = Studio Artist = Goldie Lookin Chain Released = March 17, 2008 Genre = Hip Hop Length = 33:52 Label = Shellshock Producer = P Xain Reviews = * Rock Sound (8/10) [http://www.rock… …   Wikipedia

  • under the counter — 1. adverb Illicitly, against regulations, of goods kept under the serving counter in a shop to be unobtrusively passed to a customer who knows they are available for surreptitious sale (e.g. pornographic magazines in a newsagent). Oh, yeah, I… …   Wiktionary

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