cloak and dagger
Covert spy dealings
Cloak and dagger describes secretive intrigue, espionage, or melodramatic scheming.
The phrase evokes images of spies in capes wielding hidden blades—theatrical concealment and sudden violence: a cloak-and-dagger operation, cloak-and-dagger politics.
Often hyphenated when used as an adjective before a noun.
The tone can be serious or mocking, depending on whether the secrecy seems warranted or excessive.
Covert information gatherer
- agentOne who acts independently
- CIAU.S. foreign intelligence service
- KGBUSSR intelligence service
- MI6UK espionage agency
Mossad · operative · handler · asset · mole · double agent · dead drop · tradecraft
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- furtiveSecretive and sly
surreptitious · hush-hush · incognito · undercover · veiled · shadowy · hidden · disguise
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- plottingDevising a secret plan
manipulation · double-dealing · treachery · betrayal · collusion · skulduggery · stratagem · power play
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- tensionStretched or strained state
- plot twistSudden narrative redirection
- chaseRapid following of quarry
- assassinPaid murderer of targets
fugitive · kidnapping · revenge · heist · hostage · escape · double-cross · cat and mouse
spy
Covert information gatherer
MI6 · Mossad · operative · handler · asset · mole · double agent · dead drop · tradecraft · counterintelligence
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
furtive · surreptitious · hush-hush · incognito · undercover · veiled · shadowy · hidden · disguise · alias
conspiracy
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
plotting · manipulation · double-dealing · treachery · betrayal · collusion · skulduggery · stratagem · power play · backstabbing
suspense
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- tensionStretched or strained state
- plot twistSudden narrative redirection
- chaseRapid following of quarry
assassin · fugitive · kidnapping · revenge · heist · hostage · escape · double-cross · cat and mouse · whodunit
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- secrecysecrecy, secret, secrets, confidential, classified
- clothing idiomsfit like a glove, dressed to the nines, dressed to kill, wear the pants, caught with pants down
- political intrigueintrigue, conspiracy, treason, plot, collusion
cloak and daggertransparent
Allowing light through
public · overt · open · out in the open · aboveboard
cloak and daggerstraightforward
Clear and uncomplicated
direct · above board · plain dealing · forthright · candid
cloak, dagger, cloaked, cloaks, daggers, cloaking, uncloak, cloakroom, daggered