secret deal
Covert mutual arrangement
A secret deal is an agreement made privately, often to conceal terms that might face opposition if known.
The phrase usually implies something underhanded—backroom negotiations, hidden concessions, or arrangements that benefit insiders at others' expense: The merger was the result of a secret deal between executives.
In politics, secret deals suggest corruption or betrayal of public trust.
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- closed doorsSealed entry points
- handshakeMutual palm-gripping gesture
- gentlemen's agreementInformal pact on honor
- under the tableWithout official documentation
palm greasing · hush-hush · conspiracy · bribe · hush money · kickback · collusion · shady · covert · clandestine · under wraps · quid pro quo · off the books · paper trail · smoke-filled room · back channel · whisper · pact
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- political intrigueintrigue, conspiracy, treason, plot, collusion
- betrayalbackstab, betray, betrayal, traitor, backstabber
- Traitorstraitor, turncoat, betrayer, Judas, Benedict Arnold
secret, deal, secrets, secretly, secrecy, secretive, secretively, secretiveness, deals