Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
noun
A hidden motive, influence or factor; a concealed (potential) snag; something suspicious.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated, ethnic, offensive, slur
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: nigger in the fence, Ethiopian in the woodpile, monkey in the woodpile
Antonyms: none provided
History
First attested in the 1840s.
Across languages
6 source translations are retained for this English entry.
