backhander — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A glass of wine given out of turn, the bottle having been handed backwards.

2. A blow with the back of the hand; a blow delivered with a swing of the arm across the chest.

   Examples

   I thought he would have given me a backhander with his jelly spoon[.]

3. A bribe, a secret payment.

   Usage

   • Informal

4. A shot played backhand, a backhand stroke.

5. A player who plays a backhand shot.

   Examples

   She's a terrific backhander.

6. A surfer who approaches a swell with the wave behind them ("on their backhand") rather than facing the wave ("on their forehand").

   Examples

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

Noun

1. a backhanded blow

   Broader terms

   blow