ill-gotten gains

USAGE SUMMARY

"ill-gotten gains" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to money or possessions that have been acquired through dishonest or illegal means. Example: The wealthy businessman was arrested for his ill-gotten gains, which were obtained through embezzlement and fraud.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Ill-gotten gains" could be tweaked into "illness-begetting gains".

The Economist

Make fraudsters repay their ill-gotten gains?

Independent

Should the British Museum return its ill-gotten gains?

The Guardian

"You have to confiscate all their ill-gotten gains".

The New York Times

TAX havens are no longer safe havens for ill-gotten gains.

The Economist

Admissions of wealth could implicate colleagues who may not want to confess ill-gotten gains.

The Economist

These ill-gotten gains should be reclaimed by the company, its federal regulator said.

The Economist

Finally comes "integration," the use of seemingly legitimate transactions to hide ill-gotten gains.

The New York Times

Besides protecting their ill-gotten gains from the EU budget, the French make two other arguments.

The Economist

"We are talking about billions of dollars in ill-gotten gains.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Some are looking for a safe haven for ill-gotten gains.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ill-gotten gains" to add a layer of moral condemnation when describing wealth acquired through exploitation, corruption, or other unethical practices. This helps to convey the severity of the offense and its impact on victims or society.

Common error

Avoid using "ill-gotten gains" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it may sound overly formal or accusatory. Opt for simpler terms like "dirty money" or "dishonest profits" to maintain a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill-gotten gains" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies and categorizes specific types of assets or wealth, as shown by Ludwig, that have been acquired through dishonest or illegal means.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ill-gotten gains" refers to money or possessions acquired dishonestly or illegally, commonly used in news, business, and academic contexts to condemn unethical and often unlawful profits. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common. Alternatives include "tainted money" or "dishonest earnings". When writing, it’s best to reserve "ill-gotten gains" for formal writing related to law, journalism, or academics to convey precision, avoiding its overuse in casual conversations to maintain an appropriate tone. Overall, the phrase effectively labels and criticizes improperly obtained wealth across various authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tainted money

Emphasizes the corruption and impurity associated with the money.

dishonest earnings

Directly points out the lack of integrity in how the money was earned.

corrupt profits

Highlights the moral decay involved in the profit-making process.

illegitimate income

Focuses on the unlawful nature of the income source.

dirty money

Similar to "tainted money", stresses the unsavory nature of the funds.

unlawful proceeds

Emphasizes the legal violations that led to acquiring the money.

fraudulent revenue

Specifically indicates deceit as the method for gaining the revenue.

unethically sourced wealth

Draws attention to the violation of moral principles in acquiring the wealth.

stolen assets

Highlights that the gains were obtained through theft.

pilfered resources

Suggests that the resources were taken in small amounts over time.

FAQs

How can I use "ill-gotten gains" in a sentence?

You can use "ill-gotten gains" to describe money or property acquired dishonestly, as in: "The authorities sought to recover the criminal's "ill-gotten gains"".

What phrases are similar to "ill-gotten gains"?

Alternatives include "tainted money", "dishonest earnings", or "dirty money", all of which refer to wealth acquired through illegal or unethical means.

What's the difference between "ill-gotten gains" and "profits"?

"Profits" generally refer to gains from legitimate business activities, while "ill-gotten gains" specifically denote profits obtained through illegal or unethical actions. The key difference lies in the morality and legality of the acquisition.

Is it appropriate to use "ill-gotten gains" in formal writing?

Yes, "ill-gotten gains" is suitable for formal writing, especially in legal, journalistic, or academic contexts where precision and condemnation of unethical behavior are necessary. It clearly conveys the illicit nature of the acquired wealth.