American Idioms – Idiom Wizard Lists Over 5,500 Idioms & Slang Descriptions

Grease the palm

DEFINITION

Bribe. Gratuity for providing illegal or immoral services. ‘Grease’ refers to cash, so to grease the palm is to provide a payoff. (Compare to Under the table.)

“The bouncer wouldn’t let us into the dance hall until I greased his palm.”

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