hush money

American  

noun

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

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hush money British  

noun

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

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hush money Idioms  

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

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Etymology

Origin of hush money

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

She said it had felt like "hush money".

From BBC

“Nothing in the Supreme Court’s opinion affects my previous conclusion that the hush money payments were private, unofficial acts, outside the bounds of executive authority,” Hellenstein wrote in the four-page ruling.

From Salon

Prosecutors in the hush money trial brought up the agreement when trying to explain why they didn’t call Weisselberg to the stand as a witness.

From Salon

It barred him from publicly commenting about witnesses, jurors and others connected to his hush money case.

From Seattle Times

However sensational the charges, which stemmed from hush money payments made to an adult film actor, many voters will react to the Manhattan jury’s decision with a shrug.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• kickback