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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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grease someone's palm

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing moves in the country without someone's palm being greased.

News & Media

Huffington Post

They asked me to push against someone's palm with my heel.

News & Media

The New York Times

Only read someone's palm with their permission.

"In the old days you had to trudge through the snow to grease people's palms," said the official.

News & Media

Huffington Post

If you're going to do read someone else's palms, keep it light.

"You can't blot your pizza, which I like to do to get the grease off, with someone's cloth napkin with an embroidered flower on it".

News & Media

The New York Times

Try using an open palm to direct someone's attention instead.[17].[17]

A guy in a pink shirt wipes the grease off his palm with a tablecloth so he can shake another guy's hand.

News & Media

Vice

Of Mrs. Clinton, he said, "I think she still has the obligation to grease the right palm".

News & Media

The New York Times

The major feedstocks currently being used to produce oil for biodiesel are corn, soybean, rapeseed, yellow grease, and oil palm.

Take a gob of new bearing grease in your palm and push the grease into the bearings until they are completely packed with new grease.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the idiom “grease someone's palm” when you want to convey the idea of bribing someone to facilitate a desired outcome. Ensure the context implies an unethical or illegal transaction.

Common error

Avoid using “grease someone's palm” in situations where you simply mean rewarding someone for good service. This idiom carries a strong negative connotation of bribery and corruption, so use it carefully to reflect that meaning.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The idiom “grease someone's palm” functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of bribing someone, often to facilitate an illicit or unethical transaction. As per Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Reference

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom “grease someone's palm” is a phrase used to describe the act of bribing someone, typically to secure favorable treatment or to circumvent rules. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct. While examples are rare, the idiom is generally understood across various contexts, including news and media and informal conversation. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with the negative connotation of bribery and corruption. Consider alternatives like "bribe someone" or "pay off someone" for similar meanings.

FAQs

What does it mean to "grease someone's palm"?

To "grease someone's palm" means to bribe them, usually with money, in order to get them to do something for you, often something they wouldn't normally do or something that is against the rules.

When is it appropriate to use the idiom "grease someone's palm"?

This idiom should be used when discussing situations involving bribery or corruption. It implies an illicit transaction where money or favors are exchanged for preferential treatment.

Are there any alternatives to saying "grease someone's palm"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "bribe someone", "pay off someone", or "suborn someone" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "grease someone's palm" a formal or informal expression?

The expression "grease someone's palm" is considered informal. It's more suitable for casual conversation or journalistic writing than formal academic or business documents.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: