Definition

1. Noun:
   • Tacit approval of someone's wrongdoing: A state of silent or unspoken agreement with, or acceptance of, another person's improper or illegal actions, particularly in a legal context. This implies awareness of the wrongdoing without overt objection or intervention.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The manager's failure to report the fraud was interpreted as secret approval of the scheme.
  • In the court case, the prosecutor argued that the company's inaction constituted secret approval of the safety violations.

Advanced Usage

• Legal Doctrine: In some legal systems, secret approval (or tacit approval) can establish liability, implying that a person or entity consented to an act by not objecting when they had a duty to do so.
  • The landlord's secret approval of the illegal sublet was grounds for terminating the lease.

Variants and Related Words

• Tacit approval (noun phrase): The most common synonym, meaning implied or understood consent without being directly stated.
• Acquiescence (noun): Passive acceptance or submission without protest.
• Connivance (noun): Willingness to allow or be secretly involved in a wrongdoing.

Synonyms

• Tacit consent: Unspoken agreement.
• Implied approval: Approval suggested or understood without being directly expressed.
• Silent assent: Quiet agreement.

Related Phrases

• To turn a blind eye: To pretend not to notice something wrong.
  • By turning a blind eye to the bribes, he gave his secret approval.
• To wink at something: To pretend not to see or to ignore something wrong.
  • The regulator was accused of winking at the violations, showing secret approval.

Notes

• This term is primarily used in formal, legal, or ethical discussions concerning responsibility and complicity. It describes a passive form of endorsement where the approving party does not act to stop the misconduct.

Noun

1. (law) tacit approval of someone's wrongdoing