dead-drop
Covert exchange point
A dead-drop is a secret location where one person leaves something for another to retrieve later, avoiding direct contact.
The term comes from espionage tradecraft—spies use dead-drops to pass documents, money, or equipment without meeting face-to-face: He left the microfilm at the dead-drop behind the cemetery bench.
Also spelled dead drop.
Small open-bed truck
- handoffDirect physical exchange
- cacheConcealed storage spot
- stashHidden reserve
- parcelWrapped item for shipping
deposit · retrieval · contraband · geocache · delivery · smuggling · transfer · cutout
Concealed from authorities
- secretConcealed information
- hiddenKept out of sight
- undetectedNot discovered yet
- untraceableImpossible to follow back
discreet · furtive · surreptitious · stealth · anonymous · deniable · compartmentalized · secure
Espionage methods and skills
- handlerOne who manages something
- assetItem of value owned
- operativeCovert field agent
- moleSubterranean insectivore
informant · intelligence · CIA · KGB · MI6 · Mossad · counterintelligence · sleeper
Pipe for waste water
- mailboxContainer for delivered mail
- lockerSecured storage compartment
- cemeteryPlace for interring remains
- underpassRoad passing below another
bridge · lamppost · urban · anonymous · nondescript · inconspicuous · accessible · secluded
pickup
Small open-bed truck
parcel · deposit · retrieval · contraband · geocache · delivery · smuggling · transfer · cutout · go-between
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- secretConcealed information
- hiddenKept out of sight
- undetectedNot discovered yet
untraceable · discreet · furtive · surreptitious · stealth · anonymous · deniable · compartmentalized · secure · encrypted
tradecraft
Espionage methods and skills
mole · informant · intelligence · CIA · KGB · MI6 · Mossad · counterintelligence · sleeper · safehouse
drainpipe
Pipe for waste water
- mailboxContainer for delivered mail
- lockerSecured storage compartment
- cemeteryPlace for interring remains
underpass · bridge · lamppost · urban · anonymous · nondescript · inconspicuous · accessible · secluded · predetermined
dead-dropface-to-face meeting
direct exchange · live drop · brush pass · meet-up · video call
dead-dropopen channel
Uncovered water conveyance
public communication · official correspondence · registered mail · public announcement · broadcast
dead, drop, deaden, deadened, deadening, deadens, deadly, deadness, dropped