under the table

Meaning

This idiom describes a transaction, payment, or agreement made secretly, unofficially, and often illegally, usually to avoid taxes or regulations. In a literal sense, it can also describe something physically located beneath a table, but the idiomatic meaning is highly common in daily life.

Examples

• He got paid under the table so he wouldn't have to pay taxes on his income.

  He got paid under the table so he wouldn't have to pay taxes on his income.

• They made a deal under the table to secure the contract before anyone else.

  They made a deal under the table to secure the contract before anyone else.

• Many students find casual jobs where they are paid cash under the table.

  Many students find casual jobs where they are paid cash under the table.

• The politician was accused of accepting bribes under the table.

  The politician was accused of accepting bribes under the table.

• It was an under-the-table agreement, so there was no official paperwork.

  It was an under-the-table agreement, so there was no official paperwork.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He paid me below the table for fixing his car.

  ✓ He paid me under the table for fixing his car.

  The idiom is strictly 'under the table.' Replacing 'under' with 'below' makes it sound unnatural and incorrect.

• ✗ They did an under table deal.

  ✓ They did an under-the-table deal.

  When using this phrase as an adjective before a noun, you must use hyphens and include the definite article 'the'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• He didn't report his earnings because he was paid ___.

  💡 Paid secretly in cash to avoid taxes.

  Show answer

  under the table

• They tried to make a deal ___ to bypass the official bidding process.

  💡 An unofficial or secret agreement.

  Show answer

  under the table