bribe him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bribe him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is attempting to persuade another person to act in their favor through unethical means, typically involving money or gifts. Example: "He was caught trying to bribe him to secure the contract unfairly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Should I try to bribe him?

The New Yorker

(He finally had to bribe him).

The New Yorker

No one had to bribe him to leave Philadelphia".

The New York Times

Two Spaniards persistently shadow Pain, then bribe him not to treat Vallejo.

The Guardian - Books

I would beg or bribe him for photographs; his permission, when given, came grudgingly.

The New Yorker

Another Canadian bureaucrat tried to "bribe him with chocolate bars," as Maclean's magazine put it.

The New Yorker

One woman had tried to bribe him to smuggle in cell phones for her, another tobacco.

The New Yorker

When he turned down thinly veiled attempts to bribe him, the American locked him in the beach house.

The Economist

Government officials sought him out in the square and tried to bribe him away with offers of money and jobs.

The New York Times - Magazine

Despite my protests and an attempt to bribe him with $200, he just sat there, smoking a cigarette.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I always talk about it, but I had to bribe him with Chicken McNuggets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bribe him", ensure the context clearly indicates an unethical or illegal attempt to influence someone's actions. Avoid ambiguity by specifying what was offered as the bribe.

Common error

Don't use "bribe him" when the situation involves legitimate incentives or rewards. Bribing implies an illicit exchange, not a fair transaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bribe him" functions as a verb phrase, where "bribe" is the verb indicating the action of offering something of value to influence someone, and "him" is the object pronoun representing the person being bribed. Ludwig AI confirms the usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bribe him" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes an attempt to influence someone's actions through unethical means, typically involving the exchange of money or gifts. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, the act it describes carries serious legal and ethical implications. When using "bribe him", ensure the context is clear, and avoid confusing it with legitimate incentives. Alternatives include "pay him off" or "offer him a kickback", depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Offer him a bribe

More explicit and direct, specifying the offer of a bribe.

Pay him off

Focuses on monetary compensation to illicitly influence behaviour.

Buy him off

Similar to "pay him off", but can imply a more permanent arrangement.

Try to corrupt him

Focuses on the moral aspect of corruption.

Grease his palm

Idiomatic expression referring to giving money to secure favors.

Sway him with money

Highlights the use of money as a persuasive tool.

Attempt to suborn him

More formal and legalistic term for inducing someone to commit perjury or other wrongdoing.

Entice him with a reward

Focuses on the attractiveness of the reward offered.

Incentivize his decision

Highlights that the bribe is tied to a specific decision.

Give him an inducement

A more neutral term that refers to providing incentives, which could include a bribe.

FAQs

How can I use "bribe him" in a sentence?

You can use "bribe him" in a sentence to describe an attempt to influence someone's actions through unethical means, typically with money or gifts. For example, "He was caught trying to "bribe him" to secure the contract unfairly."

What can I say instead of "bribe him"?

You can use alternatives like "pay him off", "offer him a kickback", or "attempt to corrupt him" depending on the context.

Is it always illegal to "bribe him"?

Yes, attempting to "bribe him" is generally considered illegal and unethical, as it involves offering something of value to influence someone's behavior in a dishonest way.

What is the difference between "bribe him" and "persuade him"?

"Bribe him" implies using unethical or illegal means, such as money or gifts, to influence someone's actions. "Persuade him", on the other hand, involves using logical arguments or emotional appeals to convince someone without resorting to illicit means.