What does “On the take” mean?
"On the take" means accepting bribes or engaging in corrupt practices.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The politician was caught on the take and resigned from office.
Example
The police officer was suspected of being on the take and is under investigation.
Example
The company executive was found guilty of being on the take and was sentenced to prison
Is “On the take” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“On the take” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “On the take” effectively in context?
You can use "On the take" to describe someone who is accepting bribes or engaging in corrupt practices. It implies that the person is involved in illegal or unethical activities in exchange for personal gain. For example, if you want to talk about a corrupt politician, you might say, 'He was caught on the take and resigned from office.'
- 1Politics
The scandal revealed that several politicians were on the take and received illegal payments from lobbyists.
- 2Law Enforcement
The police officer was suspected of being on the take and is under investigation for accepting bribes.
- 3Business
The company executive was found guilty of being on the take and was sentenced to prison for corruption.
Similar phrases to “On the take”:
Taking bribes
Accepting money or gifts in exchange for special treatment or favors
Example
The corrupt official was caught taking bribes from contractors.
Participating in dishonest or illegal activities for personal gain
Example
The businessman was arrested for engaging in corruption and embezzlement.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “On the take” come from?
The origin of the phrase "On the take" is unknown.
Is “On the take” common in everyday conversation?
"On the take" is not a commonly used expression in everyday conversation. It is more often used in formal or legal contexts when discussing corruption or bribery.
What tone does “On the take” have?
"On the take" conveys a tone of disapproval and criticism. It is used to describe someone engaged in illegal or unethical activities for personal gain.
Can “On the take” be used in informal and formal settings?
"On the take" is a relatively informal expression that is commonly used in legal and political discussions. It may not be suitable for very formal situations, but it can be used in everyday conversations and informal writing.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
"On the take" is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The police officer was suspected of being on the take.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'He's definitely "on the take"!' to imply someone's involvement in corruption.
