back-stairs
Servants' hidden route
Back-stairs describes something secret, underhanded, or conducted through unofficial channels—the kind of business done away from public view.
The term comes from the servants' staircase in grand houses, where private dealings could occur unseen: back-stairs intrigue, back-stairs influence.
Also spelled as one word: backstairs.
Intentionally concealed
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- secretiveInclined to conceal
discreet · hush-hush · under-the-table · undercover · cloak-and-dagger · unofficial · private · confidential
Hired household workers
- butlerChief domestic servant
- footmanUniformed domestic male attendant
- housemaidLive-in cleaning employee
- chambermaidHotel room attendant
valet · housekeeper · scullery · cook · steward · livery · domestic · manor
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- plottingDevising a secret plan
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- machinationsCrafty scheming toward goals
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
skulduggery · collusion · cabal · double-dealing · maneuvering · manipulation · treachery · betrayal
covert
Intentionally concealed
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
secretive · discreet · hush-hush · under-the-table · undercover · cloak-and-dagger · unofficial · private · confidential · hidden
servants
Hired household workers
- butlerChief domestic servant
- footmanUniformed domestic male attendant
- housemaidLive-in cleaning employee
chambermaid · valet · housekeeper · scullery · cook · steward · livery · domestic · manor · Victorian
conspiracy
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- plottingDevising a secret plan
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- machinationsCrafty scheming toward goals
subterfuge · skulduggery · collusion · cabal · double-dealing · maneuvering · manipulation · treachery · betrayal · deception
back-stairsmain entrance
Principal point of entry
front stairs · grand staircase · front door · grand entrance · public entrance
back-stairsaboveboard
Honest and unconcealed
open · transparent · overt · public · official
back, backs, backed, backing, backer, backers, backward, backwards, backwardness