oil (one's) palm
oil (one's) palm
To bribe one (to do or facilitate something), as or as if by slipping money into one's hand. A: "How are we going to get a table without a reservation?" B: "Don't worry, I oiled the hostess' palm, and she promised us a table in no time." I oiled my brother's palm to stop him from telling Mom that I had a party while she was away.
See also: oil, palm
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
oil (someone's)
hand/palm Informal1. To bribe: an attorney who tried to oil the judge's hand to obtain a favorable verdict.
2. To give a tip to: oiled the porter's palm.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- oil
- oil (one's) hand
- grease (one's) hand
- grease (one's) palm
- grease palm
- grease somebody's palm
- grease someone’s palm
- grease someone's palm
- pay (one) off
- pay off