hugger-mugger

/'hʌgə,mʌgə/
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Thân thiện
hugger-mugger

They found the documents in a hugger-mugger pile on the floor.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Secret, clandestine: Done in a secretive, hidden, or underhanded manner.
    • Disorderly, confused: Characterized by chaos, messiness, or lack of order.

  2. Adverb:

    • Secretly, in secret: In a hidden, covert, or clandestine manner.
    • In disorder: In a messy, confused, or chaotic way.

  3. Noun:

    • Secrecy, concealment: A state or condition of secrecy.
    • Confusion, disorder: A state of chaos, muddle, or disarray.
Usage Examples
  • Adjective:
    • They were involved in hugger-mugger dealings with the rival company. (Meaning: secret, clandestine)
    • The documents were found in a hugger-mugger heap on the desk. (Meaning: disorderly, confused)
  • Adverb:
    • The negotiations were conducted hugger-mugger to avoid public scrutiny. (Meaning: secretly)
    • He threw his belongings hugger-mugger into the suitcase. (Meaning: in a disorderly fashion)
  • Noun:
    • The whole affair was shrouded in hugger-mugger. (Meaning: secrecy)
    • The sudden evacuation caused complete hugger-mugger in the streets. (Meaning: confusion, disorder)
Advanced Usage
  • The phrase "in hugger-mugger" is a common collocation meaning "in secret" or "in confusion."
    • The plans were made in hugger-mugger. (Meaning: in secret)
    • After the announcement, the office was in hugger-mugger. (Meaning: in a state of confusion)
Variants and Related Words
  • Hugger-mugger can function as a verb (archaic), meaning to act secretly or to keep secret.
    • Verb (archaic): To hugger-mugger the truth from the public.
Synonyms
  • For the "secret" meaning: Clandestine, covert, surreptitious, undercover, hole-and-corner, cloak-and-dagger.
  • For the "disorder" meaning: Chaotic, jumbled, messy, topsy-turvy, disorganized.
Idioms and Phrases
  • Done hugger-mugger: An idiom describing an action performed in a secretive or disorderly manner.
    • The transfer of funds was done hugger-mugger.
hugger-mugger

They found the documents in a hugger-mugger pile on the floor.

Adjective
  1. conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
    • clandestine intelligence operations
    • cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines
    • hole-and-corner intrigue
    • secret missions
    • a secret agent
    • secret sales of arms
    • surreptitious mobilization of troops
    • an undercover investigation
    • underground resistance
  2. in utter disorder
    • a disorderly pile of clothes
Adverb
  1. in secrecy
    • they did it all hugger-mugger
Noun
  1. a state of confusion
    • he engaged in the hugger-mugger of international finance

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