hugger-mugger

(noun) a state of confusion. Example: "He engaged in the hugger-mugger of international finance."

(verb) act stealthily or secretively. Synonyms: hugger mugger.

(adj) in utter disorder. Synonyms: disorderly, higgledy-piggledy, jumbled, topsy-turvy. Example: "A disorderly pile of clothes."

(adj) conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods. Synonyms: clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hole-and-corner(prenominal), hush-hush, secret, surreptitious, undercover, underground. Examples: "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."

(adv) in secrecy. Example: "They did it all hugger-mugger."