Definition

1. Noun:

   • An item or sum of money offered or given to someone in a position of authority or trust to persuade them to act dishonestly in favor of the giver. A "bribe" is an inducement, often illegal or unethical, used to corrupt someone's judgment or actions.

2. Verb:

   • To give or offer a bribe to someone. To "bribe" means to try to influence someone's conduct, especially a public official, by making an illicit payment or promise.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:

  • The official was arrested for accepting a bribe from the construction company.
  • The investigation revealed a system of bribes to secure government contracts.
  • He offered the guard a bribe to look the other way.

• Verb:

  • They attempted to bribe the customs officer to avoid paying import duties.
  • The company was found guilty of trying to bribe foreign officials.
  • You cannot bribe me into changing my decision.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "To be on the take": This informal idiom describes someone who is habitually accepting bribes.
  • Several politicians in the scandal were accused of being on the take.
• "Bribe money": This compound refers specifically to the funds used for bribing.
  • The bribe money was traced to an offshore account.
• Concept of "Bribery": The noun "bribery" refers to the broader act or practice of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting bribes.
  • He was charged with bribery and corruption.

Variants and Related Words

• Bribery (n): The crime of giving or taking a bribe.
• Bribable (adj): Capable of being bribed; corruptible.
  • The system failed because it was full of bribable officials.
• Briber (n): A person who offers or gives a bribe.

Synonyms

• Noun: Kickback, payoff, backhander (informal), inducement, sweetener (informal).
• Verb: Corrupt, buy off, pay off, grease someone's palm (informal), suborn.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Grease someone's palm": To bribe someone.
  • They had to grease a few palms to get the permit approved quickly.
• "A bribe will enter without knocking": A proverb suggesting that corruption finds easy access.
• "To be bought": To be corrupted by a bribe; to be under someone's influence due to payment.
  • The article claimed the senator had been bought by the oil lobby. (This directly relates to the reference example: "This judge can be bought.")

Noun

1. payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment

Verb

1. make illegal payments to in exchange for favors or influence
   • This judge can be bought