1 C1 idiomatic informal
To gain someone's support or change their loyalty by offering them money or valuable benefits.
"The rival faction attempted to buy over several of the council members before the crucial vote."
separable
buy over
C1 informal separable transitive
To persuade someone to switch allegiance or support by offering money or gifts.
In plain English
Give someone money or gifts to make them support you instead of someone else.
What does "buy over" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To buy someone over to your side.
Actually means
Give someone money or gifts to make them support you instead of someone else.
Usage tip
Less common than 'buy off'; more specifically implies converting someone's loyalty. Found in political and historical contexts. Somewhat dated.
Words that pair with "buy over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
voter ally official delegate supporter tribe
How to conjugate "buy over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
buy over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
buys over
he/she/it
Past simple
bought over
yesterday
Past participle
bought over
have + pp
-ing form
buying over
continuous
Hear "buy over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "buy over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "buy over"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.