off-the-books
[/ɔf ðə bʊks/]
adjective/adverb
não registrado, clandestino, informal, sem documentação
1. Not recorded in official accounts or books; undocumented and illegal or unregulated
He was paid off-the-books for his work at the restaurant.
Ele foi pago sem registro pelo trabalho no restaurante.
2. Conducted secretly or informally without official oversight or documentation
They ran an off-the-books gambling operation in the basement.
Eles operavam um jogo de azar clandestino no porão.
3. Not included in official records or accounts
The company kept off-the-books expenses to avoid taxes.
A empresa mantinha despesas não registradas para evitar impostos.
This term is widely used in both American and Brazilian contexts to describe undocumented economic activities, informal labor, and tax evasion. In Brazil, it relates to the large informal economy ('economia informal') which is culturally significant. In the USA, it often carries legal implications related to federal labor and tax laws. The practice is common in restaurants, construction, domestic work, and small businesses in both countries.
NYC Slang
under-the-table, off-book, cash job, side hustle (modern variant)
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →