buyoff
Payment for silence
A buyoff is a payment or concession made to secure someone's cooperation, silence, or approval—often with implications of impropriety.
The term suggests that agreement was purchased rather than earned through merit: The contract included a buyoff for the union leadership.
In manufacturing and quality control, a buyoff is formal sign-off or acceptance of completed work.
Illegal payment for services
- payolaBribes for airplay
- graftIllicit political gain
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
- backhanderSecret illicit payment
sweetener · inducement · palm-greasing · baksheesh · boodle · sop · fix · dash
Money distributed to recipient
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- damagesCompensation for injury
- severanceTermination pay or disconnection
indemnity · reparation · disbursement · payment · reimbursement · lump-sum · cash-out · satisfaction
Criminal vow of secrecy
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
- non-disclosureMandated secrecy obligation
confidentiality · shutting-up · muzzling · squelching · concealment · intimidation
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- concessionYielding a point
- deal-makingNegotiating agreements between parties
- bargainingNegotiating mutually acceptable terms
- give-and-takeMutual concession between parties
agreement · middle-ground · quid-pro-quo · arrangement · understanding · accommodation · horse-trading
Formal expression of support
- authorizationFormal permission granted
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- ratificationFormal approval by authority
- go-aheadPermission to begin
green-light · acceptance · clearance · rubber-stamp · sanction · consent · nod · blessing
kickback
Illegal payment for services
- payolaBribes for airplay
- graftIllicit political gain
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
backhander · sweetener · inducement · palm-greasing · baksheesh · boodle · sop · fix · dash · envelopment
payout
Money distributed to recipient
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- damagesCompensation for injury
severance · indemnity · reparation · disbursement · payment · reimbursement · lump-sum · cash-out · satisfaction
omerta
Criminal vow of secrecy
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
non-disclosure · confidentiality · shutting-up · muzzling · squelching · concealment · intimidation
negotiation
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- concessionYielding a point
- deal-makingNegotiating agreements between parties
- bargainingNegotiating mutually acceptable terms
give-and-take · agreement · middle-ground · quid-pro-quo · arrangement · understanding · accommodation · horse-trading
endorsement
Formal expression of support
- authorizationFormal permission granted
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- ratificationFormal approval by authority
go-ahead · green-light · acceptance · clearance · rubber-stamp · sanction · consent · nod · blessing · thumbs-up
buyoffmerit pay
Compensation tied to performance
performance bonus · fair wages · legal settlement · salary · stipend
buyoffprincipled stand
Position held despite pressure
ethical conduct · incorruptibility · integrity · fair play · transparency
buyoffexposure
State of being unprotected
whistleblowing · prosecution · accountability · disclosure · confrontation