hole-and-corner

relating to the peripheral and unimportant aspects of life

• “a hole-and-corner life in some obscure community” H.G.Wells

conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods

• “clandestine intelligence operations”
• “cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines”
• “hole-and-corner intrigue”
• “secret missions”
• “a secret agent”
• “secret sales of arms”
• “surreptitious mobilization of troops”
• “an undercover investigation”
• “underground resistance”