HUGGER-MUGGER • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Hugger-mugger

... had once contained—he would begin upon another. And woe to Mrs. Dixon or Thyrza if they attempted any cleaning in one of his rooms! The collections were for himself only, and for the few dealers or experts to whom he chose to show them. And the more hugger-mugger they were, the less he should be pestered to let people in to see them. Occasionally he would rush up to London to attend what he called a "high puff sale"—or to an auction in one of the northern towns, and as he always bought ...

— The Mating of Lydia • Mrs. Humphry Ward