buy-off
Pay for silence
A buy-off is a payment or concession made to secure someone's cooperation, silence, or withdrawal from opposition.
The term often carries connotations of corruption or compromise: The settlement looked like a buy-off to keep the whistleblower quiet.
In business contexts, it can mean formal approval or sign-off from stakeholders: We need a buy-off from legal before proceeding.
Culminating benefit received
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
- graftIllicit political gain
- backhanderSecret illicit payment
grease · sweetener · inducement · palm-greasing · baksheesh · payola · envelope · fix
Mouth restraint or jest
- suppressForcibly put an end to
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- omertaCriminal vow of secrecy
- confidentialityQuality of protecting secrets
non-disclosure · secrecy · quiet · stifle · withhold · concealment · discretion · squelch
Money distributed to recipient
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- out-of-courtResolved privately, avoiding trial
- damagesCompensation for injury
- indemnityProtection against financial loss
reparation · disbursement · finalization · resolution · severance · lump-sum · release · waiver
Formal expression of support
- authorizationFormal permission granted
- go-aheadPermission to begin
- green-lightAuthorize to proceed
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
consent · sanction · acceptance · rubber-stamp · nod · agreement · stakeholder · signatory
payoff
Culminating benefit received
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
- graftIllicit political gain
backhander · grease · sweetener · inducement · palm-greasing · baksheesh · payola · envelope · fix · corrupt
gag
Mouth restraint or jest
confidentiality · non-disclosure · secrecy · quiet · stifle · withhold · concealment · discretion · squelch · muzzle
payout
Money distributed to recipient
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- out-of-courtResolved privately, avoiding trial
- damagesCompensation for injury
indemnity · reparation · disbursement · finalization · resolution · severance · lump-sum · release · waiver
endorsement
Formal expression of support
- authorizationFormal permission granted
- go-aheadPermission to begin
- green-lightAuthorize to proceed
clearance · consent · sanction · acceptance · rubber-stamp · nod · agreement · stakeholder · signatory
buy-offsalary
Fixed periodic employment payment
legal settlement · honorarium · bonus · grant
buy-offrefusal
Act of declining
whistleblowing · exposure · rejection · incorruptibility · turning down
buy-offfair trial
Impartial judicial proceeding
due process · litigation · court ruling · legal judgment · mediation
buy, off, buys, buying, bought, buyer, buyers, buyout, buyouts