B2idiominformalmoneyIELTS-friendly
under the table
USUK
(of payments) made secretly and illegally, often to avoid tax
British English also says 'cash in hand' for undeclared pay. 'Under-the-table' with hyphens goes before a noun: 'an under-the-table payment'.
In context
Some builders are paid under the table, so they have no insurance.
The official was accused of taking money under the table from developers.
More idioms about money
- a cash cowa product or business that steadily makes a lot of money
- a false economya way of saving money that ends up costing more later
- a gold minea business or thing that makes a lot of money, or a rich source of something
- a golden handshakea large sum of money paid to someone when they leave a job
- a money pitsomething, often a house or car, that costs you much more money than it is worth