Backhander

Definitions

1. A glass of wine given out of turn, the bottle having been handed backwards.
2. A blow with the back of the hand.
3. A bribe, a secret payment.
   informal
4. A shot played backhand, a backhand stroke.
5. A player who plays a backhand shot.
6. A surfer who approaches a swell with the wave behind them ("on their backhand") rather than facing the wave ("on their forehand").

Equivalents

Examples

“She's a terrific backhander.”

“The morning brought an increased swell; long, perfect, down-the-line, 6-8' freight trains — a forehander's dream⟳ and a backhander's nightmare”

CEFR level