conscience money

American  

noun

1. money paid, often anonymously, to relieve one's conscience, as for an obligation previously evaded or a wrong done.

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conscience money British  

noun

1. money paid voluntarily to compensate for dishonesty, esp money paid voluntarily for taxes formerly evaded

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Etymology

Origin of conscience money

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

This was widely viewed as the tribute, in the form of conscience money, that had been originally raised from the blood of the toilers.

From Slate • Oct. 20, 2012

The Canadian Department of National Revenue received $12 in "conscience money" last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

When the agency finally decided to pull out, it sent a final payment of $1,376,700 in conscience money to Roberto and Savimbi through Kinshasa.

From Time Magazine Archive

Before he left, Aunt William pressed a sovereign into his hand guiltily, as if it were conscience money.

From The Twelfth Hour by Leverson, Ada

M. Le Grand, author of the piece, deigned to call upon the king of thieves, spoke some words of argot with him, and by way of conscience money gave him a hundred crowns.

From A Book of Scoundrels by Whibley, Charles