Meanings of "under the table"

Question

Hi,Can I say these sentences:Illegal aliens in the USA work under the tableIllegal aliens in the USA work off the booksAlso, if those two sentences are up to standard, do they mean that illegal aliens do not file their tax returns every year, although they work within the United States?Thanks !

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Yes.

Nor do their employers comply with the law.

Wages are normally paid in cash.

Clive

BarbaraPA · Answer

Note that it's not only illegals who work under the table.

MrPernickety · Answer

Thanks, guys, for chiming in !

Grammar GeekNote that it's not only illegals who work under the table.

Tell me about it ! I worked for a company where they made it a habit to pay me the better part of my salary under the table, because the mentioned company's executives didn't want to pay taxes to the full extent. And everybody in the IRS (well, in the Russian IRS) just kept on turning the blind eye to these shady goings-on. And mind you, I live totally legally in the country and there are tons of illegal immigrants here too, so you can imagine what's going on in our corrupt Government with its venal officers, president included.

Fandorin · Answer

This is my pinch towards the topic. You may also say they are being paid under the counter.

Mister Micawber · Answer

This is the second time I've noticed your using the word 'pinch', Fandorin.  What do you mean by it?

Fandorin · Answer

Hi Mr.Micawber. I have made a typo. I meant "pitch".

We used to discuss it with CalifJim.

But I have dropped a brick again.

P.S. Pinch is "an amount of an ingredient that can be held between fingers and thumb". It can't be used metaphorically, can it? Can you tip me off with another useful phrases, please? Thank you.

Delmobile · Answer

I think just about anything can be used metaphorically, although I don't know if I've ever heard it used that way or used it that way myself. I would understand the word to mean "just a little" in any context, however: "Let's turn the volume up just a pinch."

Back to the topic: I think "work under the table" sounds a bit odd. I'd say "are paid under the table" but "work off the books."

Mister Micawber · Answer

I'd go with Jim's suggestion, Fandorin-- 'Here's my take (on)...' is much more appropriate to what we do in our posts here.

Fandorin · Answer

Thank you. I got it.

Meanings of "under the table"

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