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