LookItUp

buy off

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌbaɪ ˈɔf/ · UK /ˌbaɪ ˈɒf/

buy off means: To give someone money or favors so they stop opposing you or do what you want.

verb

BRIBEB2

To give someone money or favors so they stop opposing you or do what you want.

  • You cannot buy me off.
  • The company bought off several officials.
  • Did they offer enough money to buy him off?

How to use it: buy someone off (They tried to buy the witness off.)

Similar words: bribe, pay off

Common phrases: buy off someone, buy off witnesses

PAY FOR RELEASEC2

To pay money so someone is allowed to leave military service.

  • Her father paid to buy her brother off.
  • Wealthy families sometimes bought their sons off.
  • Could a soldier afford to buy himself off?

How to use it: buy someone off (His family bought him off before his next posting.)

Common phrases: buy off someone, buy off soldiers

Questions about buy off

What does buy off mean?

To give someone money or favors so they stop opposing you or do what you want.

What is buy off in other languages?

Türkçe: rüşvet vermek · Español: sobornar · Français: acheter · Deutsch: bestechen · Italiano: corrompere · 日本語: 買収する

How do you pronounce buy off?

In American English /ˌbaɪ ˈɔf/; in British English /ˌbaɪ ˈɒf/.

How do you use buy off in a sentence?

You cannot buy me off. The company bought off several officials.

Learn buy off while you read

LookItUp shows the meaning that fits your sentence, in your language, and turns new words into quick practice cards.

Coming soon on the App Store LookItUp app for iPhone and iPad

buy off in other languages

More words