buy off

The phrase "buy off" often implies using money or gifts to influence someone's actions or decisions.

Definition

B2Ethics

(informal, negative)To persuade someone to act in a desired way by offering money or gifts.

Example

  • The company tried to buy off the whistleblower by offering a large sum of money.
  • He attempted to buy off the officials to avoid penalties.

C1Military

(historical)To secure someone's release from military service by paying money.

Example

  • In the past, wealthy families could buy off their sons' military service.
  • He managed to buy off his conscription with a hefty sum.

C1Law

(negative)To bribe someone to influence their decisions, often illegally.

Example

  • The politician was accused of buying off the judge to get a favorable verdict.
  • They tried to buy off the witnesses to ensure they wouldn't testify.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "buy off":

buy outpay offbuy upfob offbuy out from underbought and paid forsell outmake offpass offbuy and pay forsell awayrip offknock offpull offcut a dealplay offdo offbuy incall offbuy intopalming offsnap upbite offget over oncheap outwrite offget offfight offcop offcome offturn off