underhandedly
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- In a secret and dishonest way: Acting in a manner that is intended to deceive or hide one's true intentions.
- Slyly and secretly: Behaving or operating in a cunning, stealthy, and covert fashion.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- He underhandedly spread rumors to damage his colleague's reputation.
- The deal was arranged underhandedly, without the knowledge of the other partners.
- She underhandedly gained access to the confidential files.
Advanced Usage
- "to act underhandedly": to behave in a deceitful and covert manner.
- The competitor acted underhandedly to sabotage the product launch.
- "to obtain something underhandedly": to acquire something through secretive and dishonest means.
- The contract was obtained underhandedly, bypassing the official bidding process.
Variants and Related Words
- Underhand (adjective): Characterized by secrecy and deception.
- He used underhand tactics to win the election.
- Underhandedness (noun): The quality of being deceitful and sly.
- The underhandedness of the scheme was eventually uncovered.
Synonyms
- Deceitfully: In a manner intended to mislead.
- Slyly: In a cunning and stealthy way.
- Sneakily: In a furtive and secretive manner.
- Clandestinely: In a secret and often illegal way.
Antonyms
- Aboveboard: In an honest and open manner.
- Forthrightly: Directly and without evasion.
- Transparently: In a way that is easily seen or understood; openly.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "Behind someone's back": Secretly and deceitfully, without someone's knowledge.
- He made the decision underhandedly, completely behind his partner's back.
- "A stab in the back": A treacherous act of betrayal.
- His underhandedly revealing company secrets was a real stab in the back.
Adverb
- slyly and secretly
- Mean revenge, committed underhand- John Donne
- oldline aristocratic diplomats underhandedly undermined the attempt...to align Germany with the Western democracies- C.G.Bowers