kickback

American  

[kik-bak] / ˈkɪkˌbæk /

noun

1. a percentage of income given to a person in a position of power or influence as payment for having made the income possible: usually considered improper or unethical.

2. a rebate, usually given secretively by a seller to a buyer or to one who influenced the buyer.

3. the practice of an employer or a person in a supervisory position of taking back a portion of the wages due workers.

4. a response, usually vigorous.

5. a sudden, uncontrolled movement of a machine, tool, or other device, as on starting or in striking an obstruction.

   A kickback from a chain saw can be dangerous.

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kickback British  

/ ˈkɪkˌbæk /

noun

1. a strong reaction

2. part of an income paid to a person having influence over the size or payment of the income, esp by some illegal arrangement

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verb

1. (intr) to have a strong reaction

2. (intr) (esp of a gun) to recoil

3. to pay a kickback to (someone)

Other Word Forms

• antikickback adjective

Etymology

Origin of kickback

1930–35, noun use of verb phrase kick back

Example Sentences

The plan includes a pledge to remove "kickbacks" to middlemen.

From BBC

There, she wrote about marketing and Madison Avenue, including a series of stories about allegations of kickbacks in the media-buying business.

From The Wall Street Journal

Under a 1975 federal law called the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, steering consumers into certain mortgages in exchange for a fee or a kickback is illegal.

From MarketWatch

First Brands has also sued the brother, Edward James, alleging he orchestrated “usurious” financing deals for kickbacks from financier Onset Financial.

From The Wall Street Journal

He shows me how to hold it, how I need to keep my arms strong for the kickback, then he turns on the air compressor and gets in position to hold the wire.

From Literature

Related Words

• gift
• graft
• payment
• payoff