shady dealings
Under-the-table transactions
Shady dealings are transactions or negotiations conducted dishonestly or unethically, often in secret to avoid scrutiny.
The phrase suggests corruption, fraud, or other questionable business practices: The mayor resigned after reporters uncovered his shady dealings with contractors.
The implication is that the activity wouldn't survive exposure to light.
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- under the tableWithout official documentation
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- crookedBent or dishonest
kickbacks · backroom · smoke-filled room · behind closed doors · back alley · hustle · scam · fraud · swindle · laundering · embezzlement · cooking the books · slush fund · shell company · money trail · graft · payoffs · sneaky
shady dealingsfair dealing
Honest, equitable conduct principle
ethical business practices · square dealing · straight dealing · ethical conduct
shady, shade, shades, shaded, shading, shadiness, shadier, shadiest, shadow