hole-in-corner
Definition
- Adjective:
- Secretive, furtive, or clandestine: Describes something done in a secret or underhanded manner, often to avoid attention or scrutiny.
- Insignificant, petty, or relating to unimportant peripheral matters: Refers to aspects of life that are trivial, obscure, or of little consequence.
Usage
The adjective "hole-in-corner" is used attributively (before a noun) to describe actions, affairs, or a way of life characterized by secrecy or triviality. It often carries a negative or dismissive connotation, implying something is not only secret but also somewhat shabby, dishonest, or unimportant.
Examples
- Attributive Use:
- They were tired of his hole-in-corner schemes and demanded transparency. (They were tired of his secretive and underhanded plans.)
- The investigation revealed a hole-in-corner agreement between the two officials. (The investigation revealed a clandestine agreement.)
- He lived a hole-in-corner life in some obscure community. (He lived an insignificant life in some obscure community.)
Advanced Usage
- "hole-and-corner": This is a variant form with identical meaning and usage.
- The whole business was a hole-and-corner affair. (The whole business was a secretive and shady affair.)
Variants and Related Words
- Hole-and-corner (adj): A direct variant of "hole-in-corner" with the same meaning.
- Clandestine (adj): Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit.
- Furtive (adj): Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble.
- Surreptitious (adj): Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.
- Petty (adj): Of little importance; trivial.
Synonyms
- Secretive
- Clandestine
- Furtive
- Surreptitious
- Underhanded
- Obscure
- Trivial
- Petty
Idioms and Phrases
- A hole-in-corner affair: A phrase describing a situation, relationship, or business that is conducted secretly and often with a sense of shame or insignificance.
- Their romance was a hole-in-corner affair, known only to a few. (Their romance was a secretive relationship.)
Adjective
-
relating to the peripheral and unimportant aspects of life
-
a hole-and-corner life in some obscure community- H.G.Wells
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