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

Its recent AK84S wireless keyboard isn’t something you’re going to be able to buy off the shelf from Best Buy, and as yet it’s not listed on the company’s Amazon storefront.

From The Verge

If local police are not intimidated, they are often bought off by crime groups, security analysts say.

From Washington Post

It also claimed Google had bought off its competitors.

From BBC

You saw it in the union fight in Alabama where the union accused Amazon of trying to buy off discontented workers with offers of $1,000 to leave.

From Salon

“They’re an incredibly wealthy family that’s been able to buy off lobbyists and lawyers and PR campaigns, and now is trying to buy relief by offering something in a bankruptcy proceeding,” said Healey, a Democrat.

From Seattle Times

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