under the counter
/ˌʌndər ðə ˈkaʊntər/
adjective
- Done or sold secretly and illegally, especially in a way that avoids taxes or regulations.
- The restaurant paid its workers under-the-counter wages to avoid payroll taxes.
- He bought under-the-counter cigarettes from a shop that didn't display them.
- During the shortage, some stores sold goods under-the-counter at inflated prices.
Synonyms
Antonyms