buy off

B2 informal separable transitive

In simple words

Give someone money so they stop causing trouble or keep quiet.

Literal meaning: To purchase someone away from a position — paying them 'off' so they step aside.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

uncommon

To pay someone to stop opposing you, drop a complaint, or keep silent, especially through dishonest means.

"The company tried to buy off the journalist who had discovered their illegal dumping."

""They tried to buy off the opposition with promises of lucrative contracts.""
— The Guardian, 2016 (political reporting)

Grammar: separable

2 B2 idiomatic informal

uncommon

To settle or placate someone's dissatisfaction by offering money or benefits, even without strictly illegal intent.

"Management tried to buy off the striking workers with a small pay rise rather than addressing their core concerns."

Grammar: separable

Usage notes

Often used in political, legal, or criminal contexts. Carries a strong negative connotation of corruption. Common in journalism and crime fiction.

politician witness official critic opponent judge

Base

buy off

I/you/we/they

3rd person

buys off

he/she/it

Past simple

bought off

yesterday

Past participle

bought off

have + pp

-ing form

buying off

continuous

Try:

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bribe pay off corrupt suborn grease someone's palm square

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