Definition

1. Noun:
   • A secondary or less obvious entrance at the rear of a building: A physical door located at the back of a structure, often used for service, utility, or informal access.
   • A hidden or unauthorized method of accessing a computer system or its data: In computing, a secret vulnerability or piece of code that bypasses normal security, allowing covert access.
   • A secret, indirect, or dishonest way of achieving something: A figurative term for gaining entry, advantage, or a position through unofficial, clandestine, or unfair means.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Please take the garbage out through the back door. (Referring to the physical rear entrance.)
  • The hacker installed a back door to steal customer data. (Referring to a covert computing access point.)
  • He secured the contract through a political back door. (Referring to an underhanded method of achievement.)

Advanced Usage

• "by/through the back door": As an adverbial phrase meaning in a secret, indirect, or unofficial manner.
  • The policy was introduced by the back door without public debate.
• "back-door" (adjective): Used attributively to describe something gained or done secretly.
  • They made a back-door deal to avoid regulations.

Variants and Related Words

• Backdoor (adj/n): A common closed compound form, especially in computing contexts (e.g., a backdoor attack, a software backdoor).
• Back entrance: A synonym for the literal meaning.

Synonyms

• Rear entrance: For the literal meaning.
• Covert access: For the computing/figurative meanings.
• Secret means: For the figurative meaning.
• Underhand method: For the figurative meaning.

Related Phrases

• Backdoor man: (Informal, sometimes derogatory) A man involved in a secret or illicit relationship.
• Backdoor listing: A method for a company to become publicly traded without an initial public offering (IPO).

Related Idioms

• To come in through the back door: To achieve something via unofficial or secret channels.
  • She didn't have the qualifications, so she came in through the back door.

Noun

1. an entrance at the rear of a building
2. an undocumented way to get access to a computer system or the data it contains
3. a secret or underhand means of access (to a place or a position)
   • he got his job through the back door