hush money

noun

1. a bribe to keep someone silent about something, especially to keep the receiver from exposing a scandal.

hush money

noun

1. slang,  money given to a person, such as an accomplice, to ensure that something is kept secret

Word History and Origins

Origin of hush money¹

First recorded in 1700–10

Idioms and Phrases

A bribe paid to keep something secret, as in No amount of hush money will keep that scandal from coming out. [c. 1700]

Related Words

• kickback