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

There will not be any dynamic pricing in this sale, but prices are likely to be considerably higher if fans try to buy off Fifa's resale site following this phase.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2025

Is this a reasonable amount, or just enough to buy off the powerful bike lobby?

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024

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

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

“And you have no money to hire some loyal technicians, or buy off some of theirs?”

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

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