student asking question

What is the meaning of "buy someone off"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

To "buy someone off" means to bribe someone into letting you do something that is illegal or not allowed or preventing them from stopping you doing something by paying them money. This often refers to giving people money so that they will keep quiet about something or disappear from a scandal. Ex: The candidate running for office bought off voters of the other candidates to try and get ahead. Ex: They tried to buy off the employee so they could rob the cash register but she contacted the manager immediately.

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