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

See Examples For:

conscience money

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

And the conscience money is going to help out.

From A Cry in the Wilderness by Waller, Mary E. (Mary Ella)

If I donated to a church, it was called conscience money; and if I didn't donate to it, they said I was mean and miserly.

From Oh, Money! Money! by Porter, Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman)