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

President Ulysses S. Grant would later declare it "conscience money."

From US News

To a certain extent this was what we should now call "conscience money."

From Project Gutenberg

And the conscience money is going to help out.

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, and I sent conscience money too upon one occasion.

From Project Gutenberg

He said it was conscience money and not to be talked about.

From Project Gutenberg