hugger-mugger

1. a state of confusion; ritual accompanied by complicated and purposeless activity that obscures and confuses;

"he engaged in the hugger-mugger of international finance"

1. in utter disorder;

"a disorderly pile of clothes"

2. 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"

1. in secrecy;

"they did it all hugger-mugger"