as in off-the-record
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Recent Examples of off-the-books
Whoops: Dozens die south of the border when Joe leads an off-the-books attack on human traffickers.
—
Hugh Hart, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
Few films are more overt in their 1980s-ness than the original Predator, which saw rising star Arnold Schwarzenegger playing Dutch, the leader of an elite, off-the-books team of commandos who go into Central America only to come face-to-face with an interstellar killing machine.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 9 June 2025
In 1743, Keith was sent to Fleet Prison for his off-the-books activities.
—Alexandra Cox, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
An off-the-books e-bike battery repair shop in the basement of a Queens home sparked a massive Friday morning blaze that left a firefighter and three building residents hospitalized, FDNY officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-the-books
Hugh Hart, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
Few films are more overt in their 1980s-ness than the original Predator, which saw rising star Arnold Schwarzenegger playing Dutch, the leader of an elite, off-the-books team of commandos who go into Central America only to come face-to-face with an interstellar killing machine.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 9 June 2025
In 1743, Keith was sent to Fleet Prison for his off-the-books activities.
—Alexandra Cox, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
An off-the-books e-bike battery repair shop in the basement of a Queens home sparked a massive Friday morning blaze that left a firefighter and three building residents hospitalized, FDNY officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-the-books
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-the-books
Adjective
-
The following account is based on Bloomberg reporting over nearly two years, including on- and off-the-record conversations with more than two dozen analysts, fund managers, traders and current and former company employees.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
20 July 2025
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Details are classified for now, though this reporter was promised an off-the-record reveal at AIFF’s rooftop soiree.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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The Bundy family’s statement noted this and said their destination was not clandestine, as the FBI document alleged.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
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The result was the Commandos, who operated in clandestine raids behind the lines to harass the enemy with remarkable success.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Rubio, who is also Trump’s national security adviser, was one of three U.S. officials to participate in a closed-door meeting with the Russian delegation on Friday in Alaska.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
20 Aug. 2025
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The revelation was made by House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) after Barr testified in a closed-door interview during the House Oversight Committee’s investigation of the federal government’s handling of Epstein’s case.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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When one fan posted a surreptitious photo of Sudeikis and Hunt hanging out at a bar, commenters warned them to not share the location.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
1 Aug. 2025
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These, though, have generally either been surreptitious efforts or ones that the White House has attempted strenuously to legally justify.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Cameron Crowe researched what would become his debut script by going undercover as a high school student for a full year in what can only be described as a 21 Jump Street stunt.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
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Further, this legislation is unnecessary if it is truly intended to apply to undercover officers.—
Charles Champion,
Oc Register,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The summit marked the culmination of several months of back-channel diplomacy.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Woman of the Hour In her directorial debut, Anna Kendrick stars as aspiring actress Sheryl Bradshaw, who unknowingly crosses paths with a covert serial killer (Daniel Zovatto) while appearing on The Dating Game.—
Jacqueline Weiss,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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That provision allows a president to take covert actions as long as Congress is informed.—
Emily Goodin,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The executives were able to meet with Pope Leo in a private audience that included others, according to a person familiar with the matter.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
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This is the web version of Term Sheet, a daily newsletter on the biggest deals and dealmakers in venture capital and private equity.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Off-the-books.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-the-books. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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