conscience money

noun

money paid, often anonymously, to relieve one's conscience, as for an obligation previously evaded or a wrong done.

conscience money

money paid voluntarily to compensate for dishonesty, esp money paid voluntarily for taxes formerly evaded

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First recorded in 1840–50

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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

And the conscience money is going to help out.

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

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

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