1. relating to the peripheral and unimportant aspects of life - "a hole-and-corner life in some obscure community"- H.G.Wells • Syn: hole-in-corner • Similar to: insignificant, unimportant 2. conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods - clandestine intelligence operations - cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines - hole-and-corner intrigue - secret missions - a secret agent - secret sales of arms - surreptitious mobilization of troops - an undercover investigation - underground resistance • Syn: clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, secret, surreptitious, undercover, underground • Similar to: covert • Derivationally related forms: underground (for: underground)