Dictionary Entry
buy off
verbFind the meaning of the word buy off, plus dictionary definition, pronunciation, thesaurus-style synonyms, antonyms, and related vocabulary.
1
Meaning
Dictionary meaning in a clear, student-friendly format.
To bribe someone, especially to prevent them from doing or saying something that would be harmful or inconvenient.
Example Sentence
The company tried to buy off the journalist to prevent the story from being published.
Usage Note
This phrasal verb describes the act of paying someone money or offering them a benefit to silence them, prevent them from taking a certain action, or to gain their cooperation in an unethical way. It's often used in contexts of crime, corruption, or avoiding negative consequences.