grease money
Corruption's chosen currency
Grease money is a bribe or payoff to smooth the way for something—getting a permit approved, avoiding a fine, securing a contract.
The grease metaphor suggests lubricating bureaucratic or official machinery: A little grease money got the inspector to look the other way.
The term implies corruption but often carries a tone of worldly resignation rather than moral outrage.
- unethicalViolating moral standards
- backhanderSecret illicit payment
- brown envelopeTan paper mailer
- cash in handPhysical currency possessed now
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
payola · schmear · scandal · kickback · corruption · influence peddling · pay to play · graft · slush fund · illicit · shady · racket · clandestine · extortion · skullduggery · deceit · expedite · investigation
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- payoffsbribe, kickback, payoff, payola, baksheesh
- dirty moneyill-gotten gains, illicit funds, illicit gains, proceeds of crime, filthy lucre
- hidden moneyhidden assets, hidden wealth, hidden income, secret stash, cash stash
grease moneylegal fee
Payment for counsel
legal tender · standard rate · fair wage · tax · invoice payment
grease moneyfair compensation
Appropriate payment for work
charitable donation · gift · tip · gratuity
grease, money, greasy, greased, greasing, greaser, moneys, monies, moneyed