lót tay
Definition
- Verb:
- To give a bribe; to grease someone's palm: The primary meaning of "lót tay" is to give money or a gift, often discreetly or unofficially, to someone in a position of authority or influence to secure a favor, expedite a process, or gain an unfair advantage. It implies a corrupt or unethical transaction.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Muốn xin giấy phép nhanh, có lẽ phải lót tay. (To get the permit quickly, you probably have to grease someone's palm.)
- Hắn ta bị bắt vì lót tay cho cảnh sát. (He was arrested for bribing the police.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is inherently negative and colloquial, used to describe corrupt practices in both formal and informal settings. It often refers to small, routine bribes rather than large-scale corruption.
Variants and Related Words
- Đút lót (v): a synonym meaning to bribe, often used interchangeably with "lót tay."
- Không được đút lót cho công chức. (You must not bribe public officials.)
Synonyms
- Bribe: to persuade someone to act in one's favor by a gift of money or other inducement.
- Grease someone's palm: an idiomatic expression for giving a bribe.
Related Idioms
- Tiền trao cháo múc: an idiom describing a direct, immediate exchange of money for service or favor, closely related to the concept of "lót tay."
- Việc đó theo kiểu tiền trao cháo múc. (That matter works on a "cash-and-carry" basis.)