buy off
Pay for cooperation
To buy off is to secure someone's silence, cooperation, or withdrawal through payment—essentially, to bribe.
The phrase implies corruption or moral compromise: They tried to buy off the witness, The company bought off the inspector.
Unlike a straightforward purchase, buying someone off carries a whiff of illegitimacy, suggesting the transaction shouldn't have happened.
Illegal payment for services
- hush moneyPayment to ensure secrecy
- under the tableWithout official documentation
- sweetenerAdditive reducing bitterness
- inducementMotivating factor or offer
palm-greasing · backhander · graft · grease · envelope · baksheesh · schmear · slush fund
Payment to ensure secrecy
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- suppressForcibly put an end to
- quietLacking in sound
- muzzleAnimal's nose area
omerta · non-disclosure · confidentiality · secrecy · cover-up · discretion · keep quiet · witness tampering
Resolved dispute or colony
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- agreementShared position between parties
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- recompensePayment for loss
deal · transaction · discharge · satisfaction · clearance · rectification · resolution · out-of-court
kickback
Illegal payment for services
- hush moneyPayment to ensure secrecy
- under the tableWithout official documentation
- sweetenerAdditive reducing bitterness
inducement · palm-greasing · backhander · graft · grease · envelope · baksheesh · schmear · slush fund · protection money
hush money
Payment to ensure secrecy
muzzle · omerta · non-disclosure · confidentiality · secrecy · cover-up · discretion · keep quiet · witness tampering
settlement
Resolved dispute or colony
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- agreementShared position between parties
- compensationPayment for services rendered
recompense · deal · transaction · discharge · satisfaction · clearance · rectification · resolution · out-of-court · severance
- payoffsbribe, kickback, baksheesh, backhander, hush money
buy offhold accountable
Require someone to justify actions
prosecute · bring to justice · clean up · reform · stand firm
off, buy, buying, bought, buyer, payoff, buys, bribery, buyers