bought off

USAGE SUMMARY

"bought off" is a correct and usable term in written English.
It typically means to be bribed, intimidated, or otherwise persuaded or tricked into abandoning a cause or goal. For example, "The government was bought off by the opposition's offer of a generous financial incentive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Unions broken, or bought off.

The New Yorker

"Some of them were bought off.

The New York Times

These individuals could not be bought off.

Independent

Could it be so cheaply bought off?

The New Yorker

But has it bought off trouble?

The Economist

Fanatics cannot be bought off.

The New York Times

"Policy makers can't just be bought off.

The New York Times

They allowed themselves to be bought off.

The New York Times

Hillary's been bought off by them.

The Guardian

The women were bought off with a pittance.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Property is typically bought off-plan today, with delivery set for up to five years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bought off" when emphasizing the negative implications of influence, particularly when someone's integrity or principles are compromised.

Common error

Don't use "bought off" when you simply mean someone was convinced or persuaded through legitimate means. "Bought off" carries a strong implication of corruption or unethical influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "bought off" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of bribing or unduly influencing someone to abandon their principles or opposition. As Ludwig AI states, it suggests a deliberate attempt to neutralize someone's stance through unethical means, evident in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "bought off" is a commonly used expression that signifies bribing or unduly influencing someone to abandon their principles or opposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it carries a strong negative connotation, implying corruption or unethical behavior. Its frequent appearance in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science underscores its relevance across various domains. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context aligns with its negative implications, avoiding its application in neutral scenarios where simple persuasion is at play. Considering related phrases like "bribed", "corrupted", and "influenced" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bribed

Focuses specifically on the act of offering something of value to influence someone's actions.

compromised through payoffs

Highlights the yielding of principles or integrity in exchange for money or other benefits.

corrupted

Emphasizes the moral decay or loss of integrity resulting from undue influence.

silenced with rewards

Emphasizes the act of quieting someone by offering them something desirable.

persuaded with incentives

Highlights the use of enticements to change someone's mind or behavior.

appeased with concessions

Suggests that someone was pacified by giving in to their demands.

influenced

A more general term indicating that someone's actions or decisions were affected by an external force.

sweetened the deal for

Implies making an offer more attractive to gain someone's agreement.

suborned

A more formal term for inducing someone to commit perjury or another unlawful act.

got their compliance

Focuses on the achievement of agreement or obedience through various means.

FAQs

What does "bought off" mean?

"Bought off" means to bribe, intimidate, or otherwise persuade someone to abandon a cause or goal, typically through unethical means.

How to use "bought off" in a sentence?

Example: "The regulators will probably be "bought off" with concessions."

What can I say instead of "bought off"?

You can use alternatives like "bribed", "corrupted", or "influenced" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "persuaded" and "bought off"?

"Persuaded" implies convincing someone through reason or argument, while "bought off" suggests using bribery or other unethical inducements.