grease somebody's palm

grease (one's) palm

To bribe one discreetly, as by slipping money into their palm. A: "How are we going to get a table without a reservation?" B: "Don't worry, I greased the hostess' palm, and she promised us a table in no time." I greased my brother's palm to stop him from telling Mom that I had a party while she was away.
See also: grease, palm
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

grease somebody’s ˈpalm

(old-fashioned, informal) give somebody money in order to persuade them to do something dishonest: Luckily, Mick was able to grease a few palms, thus helping his brother to escape.
This phrase refers to the fact that you put grease (= a thick substance like oil) on a machine to make it run smoothly.
See also: grease, palm
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • grease (one's) palm
  • grease palm
  • grease someone’s palm
  • grease someone's palm
  • grease (one's) hand
  • oil
  • oil (one's) hand
  • oil (one's) palm
  • palm-greasing
  • grease the palm