Cloak and dagger

Meaning

The idiom "cloak and dagger" refers to a situation or event where there is deceit, secrecy, or hidden motives involved. It can also suggest that something is not as it seems on the surface and that there may be underlying conflicts or tensions at play.

Usage

• "The politicians involved in the scandal were using their power to cloak and dagger each other, making sure that no one got caught with their hands dirty."
• "I'm worried about my job - my boss has been giving me some weird assignments lately, as if we're playing a game of cloak and dagger."
• "The spy was able to infiltrate the enemy's base by using his cloak and dagger skills to slip past their guards undetected."
• "When my husband and I first met, we were both guarded and played a game of cloak and dagger until we realized that we had a lot in common."
• "The detective spent weeks trying to unravel the mystery, but it was only when he looked beneath the surface that he saw the true nature of the crime - a game of cloak and dagger."

Roots and History

The idiom "cloak and dagger" dates back to the Elizabethan era in England. It is thought to have originated from the theatrical tradition of Shakespeare's plays, where actors would use masks or cloaks to hide their true identities and engage in secret plots and schemes. Over time, the idiom has taken on a broader meaning beyond just the world of theater. It is now commonly used in everyday conversation to describe situations where there is deception or hidden motives involved.

Synonyms in English

• "Behind the scenes"
• "In private"
• "Undercover"
• "Off the record"
• "Hidden agenda"

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "en secret" (secretly)
• Spanish: "sencillamente" (simply)
• German: "im Hintergrund" (behind the scenes)
• Italian: "in privato" (privately)
• Portuguese: "em segredo" (secretly)

Similar Idioms

• couch potato

• cut and dried

• in the dark