por la izquierda

What it means

1. 1.

   On the black market; off the books; obtained or done without official authorisation. Comprar por la izquierda is to buy from someone who is not supposed to be selling.

2. 2.

   Of behaviour more generally, behind someone's back — including romantic infidelity.

Literally: By the left.

Examples with translations

• La leche la consigo por la izquierda, en la bodega nunca hay.

  I get the milk on the side; the ration shop never has any.

• Está saliendo con otra por la izquierda.

  He's seeing someone else behind her back.

Where it comes from

The left hand as the sinister or improper one is an old European figure; what is Cuban is the specialisation to state property leaving a warehouse through the wrong door. Note the political joke buried in the phrase, which Cubans register and outsiders rarely do.