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Glite Dictionary
back-channel

back-channel

1 7.9
Secret talks that happen outside normal channels
  • adjective
  • /ˈbækˌtʃænəl/
translation icon : comunicación clandestina
  • During the negotiations, they exchanged back-channel messages to keep their discussions private.
  • back-channel diplomacy
  • back-channel communication
  • back-channel discussions

Elvis Chan's documents were sent through this platform called Teleporter, which was a direct and back channel app for sharing files between the FBI and Twitter.

Examples

  • We got a back-channel communication from Khrushchev this evening, feeling us out about a deal.

    Thirteen Days (2000)

  • All the trademarks of a back-channel overture.

    Thirteen Days (2000)

  • But it also means that the US has back-channel contacts around the world that are not part of the public rhetoric, and this is being overlooked.

    Blog text (29)

  • Kissinger, for example, regularly ignored other senior officials by conducting back-channel negotiations in their areas of responsibility without their knowledge.

    Academic text (2009)

  • So far, the only hints of why have come through back channels: the government told American officials that the Clinton meet had to be scuttled because Xi had a back problem.

    Blog text (19)

  • Although top officials will say nothing publicly about the "Sphere," back-channel communiqués suggest some movement.

    Blog text (29)

  • The ambassador used a back-channel approach to discuss sensitive issues without alerting the media.

  • She relied on back-channel communications to avoid unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles while finalizing the agreement.

Synonyms

behind-the-scenes
vsback-channel
33 4.3

Happening in private and away from public view

is secret specifically to avoid official routes and procedures
under-the-table
vsback-channel
9 7.5

Done secretly to hide payments and avoid the law

is secret mainly to bypass official routes rather than to evade legal scrutiny

Antonyms

channel
230 3.6

An official way to send information

How Official

official
∞ 2.3
formal
  • Formal
394 3.0
informal
98 3.1
back-channel
1 7.9
clandestine
  • Formal
40 8.2

Surface Forms

back-channel positive

Morphology

back-channel = back + channel (semi-transparent) = back + channel

The components 'back' and 'channel' are clear, but the compounded meaning 'secret or unofficial communication pathway' is a specialized metaphor not fully predictable from the parts for all learners.

Etymology

The word back-channel comes from back meaning 'behind' and channel meaning a 'route' or 'way', like a water channel or a TV channel. So a back-channel is a 'behind-the-scenes' route for secret or unofficial communication that avoids the normal official channels.