Hand-in-hand attested from c. 1500 as "with hands clasped;" figurative sense of "concurrently" recorded from 1570s. underhanded (adj.) in reference to a throw, etc., "performed or done with the knuckles turned under," 1807, from under + hand (n.).

Where does the phrase underhanded come from?

Underhanded itself comes is the adjective form of underhand, which was first used in Old English to mean 'in subjugation, under the hand of an authority or ruler' before 900 CE.

What does underhanded mean?

: marked by secrecy, chicanery, and deception : not honest and aboveboard : sly an underhanded attempt to gain power.

What do you call an underhanded person?

Some common synonyms of underhanded are clandestine, covert, furtive, secret, stealthy, and surreptitious.

What is an underhanded tactic?

If an action is underhand or if it is done in an underhand way, it is done secretly and dishonestly. [disapproval]

Learn English: Daily Easy English 0842: to be underhanded

40 related questions found

What does underhanded mean in accounting?

Underhand. Describing a secret or sneaky action. For example, one may underhandedly plot to remove the CEO of a corporation. Some underhand actions are illegal or unethical, but very often they are simply part of doing business.

Is underhanded an adjective?

underhanded Add to list Share. Use the adjective underhanded to describe someone who plays dirty tricks, like a cheating poker player or a manipulative classmate.

How do you describe a shady person?

If someone is acting shady they could be acting dim or dark towards you. Shade in shadows creates distortions in reality just like when a person is shady toward you they distort the truth. Some other words that mean shady are; questionable, vague, dim, shadowy, indistinct, dark, dusky, and shaded.

What do you call a person who deceives?

Noun. 1. deceiver - someone who leads you to believe something that is not true. beguiler, cheater, trickster, slicker, cheat. offender, wrongdoer - a person who transgresses moral or civil law.

What is a stealthy person?

Marked by or acting with quiet, caution, and secrecy intended to avoid notice. adjective. 4. 4. The definition of stealthy is a person or thing that is quiet and secretive.

Where does skulduggery come from?

Although the combination of skull and duggery allude to the act of perhaps digging up corpses, the word itself finds its roots in Scotland and the word 'sculdudrie'. This is an old Scottish word that refers to an indecent act, usually sexual and almost certainly was used to describe adultery.

How do you use underhanded in a sentence?

Two fellows came to him with proof of underhanded dealings in the shipyards. I 'm surprised at Stephen agreeing to anything so underhanded . You need to carefully evaluate your communications with others, as they may involve deceit, misunderstandings or underhanded schemes.

What does scheming mean in a person?

Scheming is an adjective that describes someone who is always doing sneaky things to make things happen, like your scheming friend who invites you to a family party because she secretly wants you to meet her adorable cousin. A scheme is a plan of action that is usually secret or kept hidden.

What does Disreputability mean?

not reputable; having a bad reputation: a disreputable barroom. discreditable; dishonorable. shabby or shoddy; of poor quality or condition: disreputable clothes.

What does low Handed mean?

Low Hand is the term used to describe a poker hand that is made as part of a low hand ranking system. The ea`siest way of describing a low hand is 'worst hand wins', although this an overly simplified view. Different lowball variants have different criteria for constructing low hands.

What does deceit mean in the Bible?

an attempt or disposition to deceive or lead into error; any declaration, artifice, or practice, which misleads another, or causes him to believe what is false; a contrivance to entrap; deception; a wily device; fraud.

What is deceit in English?

1 : the act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid : the act or practice of deceiving : deception achieving one's goals through a web of deceit. 2 : an attempt or device to deceive : trick Her excuse turned out to be a deceit.

What can deception lead to?

Deception is a major relational transgression that often leads to feelings of betrayal and distrust between relational partners. Deception violates relational rules and is considered to be a negative violation of expectations.

Are you shading meaning?

Shade is a subtle, sneering expression of contempt for or disgust with someone—sometimes verbal, and sometimes not.

What does a sketchy person mean?

(slang, of a person) Suspected of taking part in illicit or dishonorable dealings. ... (slang, of a person) Disturbing or unnerving, often in such a way that others may suspect them of intending physical or sexual harm or harassment. Jack is so sketchy, I think he's stalking me.

What is underhanded comment?

An underhanded comment is a seemly polite statement that has a hidden meaning, usually negative in connotation. Underhanded comments are often referred to as snide remarks or backhanded comments.

What is a sneaky person called?

In this page you can discover 46 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for sneaky, like: devious, sly, surreptitious, tricky, clandestine, deceitful, two-faced, conniving, dishonest, underhanded and stealthy.

What is the root word of eccentric?

Eccentric comes to us through Middle English from the Medieval Latin word eccentricus, but it is ultimately derived from a combination of the Greek words ex, meaning "out of," and kentron, meaning "center." The original meaning of "eccentric" in English was "not having the same center" (as in "eccentric spheres").