by the back door

by the back door

By deceptive, corrupt, or indirect methods. This major change came by the back door, so we definitely need to fight the school board on it.

See also: back, by, door

by the back door

or

through the back door

mainly BRITISH

COMMON If someone gets or does something by the back door or through the back door, they do it secretly, in a way that is not open and honest. They accuse the minister of trying to re-introduce selective education by the back door. They were going against the procedures that we had at the bank and were doing things through the back door. Note: Back-door can be used before a noun. They want to use civilian patrols as a back-door method of policing on the cheap.

See also: back, by, door

by the back door

using indirect or dishonest means to achieve an objective.

See also: back, by, door

by/through the back ˈdoor

in an indirect or unofficial way: She has powerful friends, so she got into the diplomatic service by the back door.

See also: back, by, door, through