hugger-mugger meaning and definition

HUGGER-MUGGER noun

Definition of hugger-mugger (noun)

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

HUGGER-MUGGER adjective

Definition of hugger-mugger (adjective)

1. in utter disorder
   • "a disorderly pile of clothes"
   • synonyms: disorderly, higgledy-piggledy, jumbled, topsy-turvy
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

HUGGER-MUGGER adverb

Definition of hugger-mugger (adverb)

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