Definition

Verb: - To pay someone, especially someone in a position of power or influence, in order to gain a favor, secure cooperation, or ensure silence. This action is typically secretive and unethical, involving bribery or corruption.

Usage

The verb "buy off" is used to describe the act of corruptly influencing someone's actions or decisions with money or other incentives. It implies a transaction that subverts fairness, justice, or proper procedure. - It is a transitive phrasal verb, requiring a direct object (the person being bribed). - It often carries a negative connotation of dishonesty and corruption.

Examples

• The corporation tried to buy off the inspector to avoid the safety fines.
• He was accused of attempting to buy off witnesses before the trial.
• You can't just buy off everyone who disagrees with your plan; that's illegal.

Advanced Usage

• Passive Voice: Often used to emphasize the recipient of the bribe or the corrupt act itself.
  • The official was bought off by the construction company.
  • The entire process was compromised because key regulators had been bought off.

Variants and Related Words

• Bribe (verb/noun): The most direct synonym. To give or offer a bribe.
• Pay off (verb): A close synonym often used interchangeably with "buy off" in contexts of corruption.
• Grease someone's palm (idiom): To bribe someone.
• Corrupt (verb): To cause someone to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain.

Synonyms

• Bribe
• Suborn
• Pay off
• Influence corruptly

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pay off: Can mean to bribe, but also has other meanings like to settle a debt or to yield a good result.
  • They paid off the guard to gain access. (bribe)
  • His hard work finally paid off. (yielded success)

Related Idioms

• Grease the wheels: To use money or influence to make a process run more smoothly, which can sometimes imply mild corruption.
  • A small gift helped grease the wheels of the bureaucracy.
• On the take: Describing someone who is accepting bribes.
  • The investigation revealed that several officials were on the take.

Verb

1. pay someone with influence in order to receive a favor