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Synonyms

on the take

Idioms  
  1. Accepting bribes or other illegal income, as in The commission found a number of police officers on the take. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]


Example Sentences

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

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On Jan. 26, 2024, the day Jontay Porter removed himself from a Toronto Raptors game with a fake injury so his conspirators would win bets, there was another game on the take 500 miles away.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 29, 2026

Former Peruvian presidents Alejandro Toledo and Ollanta Humala are serving lengthy sentences in their country after being convicted of being on the take from Odebrecht.

From Barron's Jan. 12, 2026

Drawn to the platter of homemade cookies, I was shy on the take once I knew they were lemon, scared of the sharp sourness that might be lurking within.

From Salon Nov. 12, 2022

I met with him twice, examined his financial records and could find no clear evidence he was on the take.

From Seattle Times Jan. 16, 2022

Her disposition toward life was that of an elite athlete who knows the opponent is dirty and the refs are on the take, but also knows the championship is one game away.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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