hugger-mugger meaning

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hugger-mugger (adjective): in utter disorder.

hugger-mugger has 4 meanings in this dictionary, as adjective, adverb and noun.

hugger-mugger as an adjective

  1. in utter disorder
    • a disorderly pile of clothes

    Synonyms: disorderly, higgledy-piggledy, jumbled, topsy-turvy

    Similar: untidy

  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

    Synonyms: clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hole-and-corner, hush-hush, secret, surreptitious, undercover, underground

    Similar: covert

hugger-mugger as an adverb

  1. in secrecy
    • they did it all hugger-mugger

hugger-mugger as a noun

  1. a state of confusion
    • he engaged in the hugger-mugger of international finance

    Type of: confusion

    Related forms: hugger mugger

More about hugger-mugger on Wikipedia.