underhanded
[ˈʌndɚhˈændɪd] /ˌən-dər-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce underhanded (audio)/ (ame, mw)
underhanded — adverb
1. in a way that keeps your real actions hidden because they are not fair or honest
in a way that keeps your real actions hidden because they are not fair or honest.
The contractor acted underhandedly by using cheaper materials than the contract specified.
underhandedly + verb of action (acted, dealt, behaved)
Mira discovered that a rival firm had been dealing underhandedly with her biggest client.
Defne never expected her own assistant to act underhandedly behind her back.
The funds were moved underhandedly through three different accounts to hide the source.
用法筆記
Usually appears as the derived form 'underhandedly.' This adverb is far less common than the adjective 'underhanded.'
常見錯誤
underhanded — adjective
- underhandedpositive
- more underhandedcomparative
- most underhandedsuperlative
1. done in a secret and unfair way, especially in order to get something that you w
done in a secret and unfair way, especially in order to get something that you want at someone else's expense.
The sales team used underhanded methods to poach customers from a struggling competitor.
underhanded methods / underhanded tactics / underhanded practices
Ravindra left the meeting after discovering the deal involved underhanded payments.
Nothing underhanded has ever been reported about the charity's fundraising campaigns.
Lisa refused to gain an edge through underhanded tricks, even though her rivals used them.
- aboveboard
completely open and honest
- fair
treating people equally without secret advantage
用法筆記
Commonly modifies nouns such as 'tactics,' 'methods,' 'deal,' 'scheme,' and 'behavior.' More frequent in American English; British English typically uses 'underhand' for this sense.
常見錯誤
2. performed by bringing the arm forward and upward from below the shoulder, used i
performed by bringing the arm forward and upward from below the shoulder, used in sports such as softball, volleyball, and basketball for certain throws or serves.
Walid surprised the defence by using an underhanded pass that slipped past the blockers.
underhanded pass / underhanded throw / underhanded serve
The coach taught the beginners an underhanded serve because it is easier to control.
Otis relies on an underhanded pitch when playing slow-pitch softball on weekends.
Kemi won the volleyball match with an underhanded serve that curved just over the net.
用法筆記
In British English this sense is usually expressed by 'underarm' (e.g., 'an underarm throw'). For the dishonest sense see adjective sense 1 above.