To bribe or silence someone by giving them money or something of value.
Give someone money so they stop causing trouble or keep quiet.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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)
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."
To purchase someone away from a position — paying them 'off' so they step aside.
Give someone money so they stop causing trouble or keep quiet.
Often used in political, legal, or criminal contexts. Carries a strong negative connotation of corruption. Common in journalism and crime fiction.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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