buy off

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to pay (a person or group) to drop a charge, end opposition, relinquish a claim, etc

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buy off Idioms  

1. Pay to get rid of a claim or opposition, or to avoid prosecution, as in He was caught trying to buy off the opposing candidate. [First half of 1600s]

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Example Sentences

Pecker testified—as Cohen will—that Pecker, Trump, and Cohen agreed in late 2015 to buy off and kill salacious stories that could damage Trump’s campaign.

From Slate • May 8, 2024

Any processed creamer you buy off the shelf likely contains a preservative so the product lasts longer until it’s refrigerated, and even after refrigeration.

From Seattle Times • May 2, 2024

Nothing you buy off the rack is going to be perfect.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2023

But these groups also target non-English speakers, presuming that they'd rather buy off the caller who claims to be with the cops instead of attracting undesired attention.

From Salon • Aug. 27, 2023

So Howard opted to race unmodified stock models, exactly the same cars customers could buy off the dealer floor.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• lubricate