Definition

1. Noun:
   • A backhanded blow or slap: A strike delivered with the back of the hand, typically in a sweeping motion from the side.
   • (Informal, chiefly British) A bribe or illicit payment: A sum of money given secretly and dishonestly, often to gain a favor or advantage.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Physical Blow):
  • The argument escalated and he gave him a sharp backhander across the face.
  • In some martial arts, a backhander is a less common but effective strike.
• Noun (Bribe):
  • The corrupt official was known to accept a backhander for speeding up permits.
  • The journalist alleged that the contract was won through a series of backhanders.

Advanced Usage

• "to give someone a backhander": This phrase can be literal (to hit someone) or figurative (to bribe someone).
  • Literal: He was so angry he felt like giving him a backhander.
  • Figurative: Rumour has it you have to give the inspector a backhander to pass the safety check.

Variants and Related Words

• Backhand (noun/adjective/verb): The more general term for a stroke in sports (like tennis) made with the back of the hand facing forward, or for writing that slopes to the left.
  • Noun: Her tennis backhand is very powerful.
  • Adjective: He sent a backhand shot down the line.
  • Verb: She backhanded the ball cross-court.
• Backhanded (adjective): Describing a compliment that is ambiguous or insulting, i.e., a backhanded compliment.
  • Saying "You're smarter than you look" is a backhanded compliment.

Synonyms

• For a blow: Slap, swipe, cuff.
• For a bribe: Bribe, kickback, sweetener , payoff, graft.

Related Phrases

• A backhander across the chops: A more vivid, informal way to describe a backhanded blow to the face or mouth area.
  • He threatened to give him a backhander across the chops for his insolence.

Noun

1. a backhanded blow