kickback
/'kikbæk/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A commercial bribe: A secret, and often illegal, payment made to someone, typically an agent or official, in return for facilitating a transaction or awarding business. The payment is usually a percentage of the money involved in the deal.
- A strong reaction: A sudden, forceful recoil or response, often from a mechanical device or as a figurative reaction to an event.
Usage
- As a noun, "kickback" is commonly used to describe corrupt financial practices in business and government. It implies a covert, reciprocal arrangement.
- It is a countable noun (e.g., , ).
Examples
- Noun (Commercial bribe):
- The contractor was accused of giving a kickback to the city official to win the construction bid.
- Investigators uncovered a scheme involving kickbacks for pharmaceutical sales.
- Noun (Strong reaction):
- The kickback from the rifle bruised his shoulder.
- The policy change caused a significant political kickback from the public.
Advanced Usage
- "To receive/get a kickback": To be the recipient of such an illicit payment.
- The agent was fired for getting a kickback from the supplier.
- "Kickback scheme": A planned system for making such illegal payments.
- The mayor was involved in a complex kickback scheme.
Variants and Related Words
- Kick back (phrasal verb): To relax. This is a separate phrasal verb with a completely different meaning.
- I just want to kick back and watch a movie this weekend.
Synonyms
- Bribe: A sum of money or favor given to influence someone's actions.
- Payoff: A payment, especially a bribe.
- Backhander (informal, chiefly British): A bribe or illicit payment.
- Rebate: A return of part of an amount paid. (Note: A rebate is legal and transparent, unlike a kickback.)
- Recoil: A sudden backward movement, synonymous with the "reaction" sense.
Antonyms
- Transparent payment: An open, lawful fee or commission.
- Salary/Wage: Legal compensation for work.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "On the take" (idiom): Accepting bribes or kickbacks.
- Officials who are on the take undermine public trust.
- "Grease someone's palm" (idiom): To bribe someone.
- He had to grease a few palms to get the permit, which is essentially paying kickbacks.
Noun
- a commercial bribe paid by a seller to a purchasing agent in order to induce the agent to enter into the transaction