by the back door

by the back door

By deceptive, corrupt, or indirect methods. This major change came by the back door, so we definitely need to fight the school board on it.
See also: back, by, door
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

by the back door

or

through the back door

mainly BRITISH
COMMON If someone gets or does something by the back door or through the back door, they do it secretly, in a way that is not open and honest. They accuse the minister of trying to re-introduce selective education by the back door. They were going against the procedures that we had at the bank and were doing things through the back door. Note: Back-door can be used before a noun. They want to use civilian patrols as a back-door method of policing on the cheap.
See also: back, by, door
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

by the back door

using indirect or dishonest means to achieve an objective.
See also: back, by, door
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

by/through the back ˈdoor

in an indirect or unofficial way: She has powerful friends, so she got into the diplomatic service by the back door.
See also: back, by, door, through
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • by/through the back door
  • back door
  • come back and see us
  • back
  • back at (something or some place)
  • echo back to
  • be/go back to square one
  • a while back
  • back to square one
  • be back on the rails
References in periodicals archive
Daniels arrived back from a show in Switzerland at the same time as England's dunces delivered a final insult on their homecoming by sneaking out of the airport by the back door.
YOU'LL LIKE THIS... NOT A LOT; 'Cowardly' England do disappearing act with Paul Daniels
In exchanges following his statement, Mr Straw was challenged on speculation that the Government might seek to introduce some elements of the constitution 'by the back door'.
EU poll put on ice but 'back door' fear grows
In his final speech of the campaign, Mr Blair told supporters in Scarborough that registering a protest vote or failing to turn out at the polls risked letting the Tories in by the back door.
05/05/05: The Election: Euan joins his mum for rally
Vivien Pulley said: "My grown-up daughter Rachel saw the snake slithering down the steps by the back door.
Step too far for fugitive snake
I FOR one wasn't surprised to read that cowardly Nick Clegg sneaked in by the back door instead of facing those outside the Lib Dem Scottish party conference in Perth protesting the cuts imposed by his Tory puppet-masters.
Sneaking in again; Your view
The 150,000-strong ATL teachers' union said: "This is reintroducing the 11-plus by the back door. It will lead to selection by social class."
'BACK-DOOR 11-PLUS' IS ON THE WAY