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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.

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

But his attorneys vehemently denied the charges and said the government failed to prove the veteran DEA agent was on the take.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2024

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

Some guards were honest; others, clearly on the take.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

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