What does "Skullduggery" mean?

Underhanded dealing, trickery, or dishonest behaviour. Devious or unscrupulous behaviour—often used with a slightly humorous or old-fashioned tone.

How do you use "Skullduggery" in a sentence?

There's some skullduggery going on here. Corporate skullduggery at its finest. I suspect financial skullduggery.

Skullduggery

Slang Term BritishAmerican ★★☆☆☆ Uncommon Neutral

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Meaning: Underhanded dealing, trickery, or dishonest behaviour.

欺诈行为、诡计或不诚实的行为。

Tratos turbios, engaño o comportamiento deshonesto.

陰湿な取引、詐術、不正行為。

음흉한 거래, 속임수, 부정 행위.

Devious or unscrupulous behaviour—often used with a slightly humorous or old-fashioned tone.

狡猾或不道德的行为——通常带有略微幽默或老派的语气。

Comportamiento marrullero o sin escrúpulos, a menudo usado con un tono ligeramente humorístico o anticuado.

狡猾または不誠実な行動。しばしばやや滑稽または古風なニュアンスで使われる。

교활하거나 파렴치한 행동—약간 유머러스하거나 구식인 어감으로 자주 사용된다.

Literal meaning: Underhand/deceptive behaviour

Examples

There's some skullduggery going on here.
这里有猫腻
Aquí hay gato encerrado
ここで何か怪しいことが起きている
여기서 뭔가 수상한 짓이 벌어지고 있다.
Corporate skullduggery at its finest.
企业欺诈的典范
Tejemanejes corporativos en su máxima expresión
企業の不正行為の極み
기업 비리의 극치다.
I suspect financial skullduggery.
我怀疑有金融欺诈
Sospecho de tejemanejes financieros
金融不正を疑っている
금융 부정이 의심된다.

Pronunciation

/skʌlˈdʌɡəri/

Usage Guide

Context: fraud, trickery, dishonesty

Tone: accusatory but often humorous

✓ Do Say

Skullduggery afoot!
有诡计在进行！
¡Hay tejemanejes en marcha！
悪事が進行中！
속임수가 벌어지고 있다!
Corporate skullduggery.
企业欺诈
Tejemanejes corporativos
企業の不正
기업 비리.
Political skullduggery.
政治阴谋
Tejemanejes políticos
政治的な陰謀
정치적 속임수.

✗ Don't Say

Fraud
Fraud（欺诈）
Fraud（Fraude）
Fraud（詐欺）
사기
Trickery
Trickery（诡计）
Trickery（Engaño）
Trickery（詐術）
속임수

Common Mistakes

Slightly old-fashioned/literary word
Spelling: not 'skull-duggery'

Origin & History

Scottish dialect 'sculduddery' meaning obscenity or fornication, later meaning general dishonesty.

Etymology: Scottish origin, altered spelling, 19th century

First recorded: 1860s

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century to present

Generation: Older speakers, educated usage

Social background: Middle class, educated

Pop culture: Victorian literature; Political commentary

Regional notes: Scottish origin, used in both British and American English.

Variations

SkullduggerySkulduggery