Hush Money Idiom: Meaning, Synonyms & Examples

Hush Money Idiom: What term would you give to a person who bribes another to hide his/her secret? Well, there is a simple term known as ‘hush money.’ This is no new word, it has been in usage since 1700s  as a direct and descriptive way to describe money paid to silence someone and it’s therefore part of the English grammar. To learn more about hush money idiom, its usage, and synonyms, make sure you continue reading this blog post till the end. 

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Hush Money Idiom: Meaning & Examples

In continuation of the discussion above, the hush money idiom is not an idiom. Confused? It’s a direct term that refers to money paid to someone to keep them quiet about secret or embarrassing information. In short, it refers to a bribe to maintain silence.

Here are some quick examples of how you can use this word:

• The drug lord paid hush money to the local police to avoid raids on his operation.
• The mob boss silenced a potential witness with a large sum of hush money.

The exact origin of the hush money idiom is uncertain, but it is believed to have emerged in the 19th century. The term likely refers to money given to someone to keep quiet about a secret or scandal. The word “hush” is related to the concept of silencing or making something quiet, while “money” refers to the financial payment used to induce silence. It is possible that the idiom was first used about criminal activities or political scandals, where individuals might be paid to conceal information that could damage reputations or careers.

Hush Money Idiom Sentences

Here are a few examples of hush money idiom which will give you an idea about how it can be incorporated and used when writing sentences. 

• The politician paid hush money to silence the woman about their affair.
• The company offered hush money to the employee who witnessed the illegal activity.
• The celebrity used hush money to prevent a scandal from reaching the public.
• The criminal mastermind paid hush money to ensure the accomplice’s silence.
• The evidence of corruption was suppressed with a large sum of hush money.
• The politician received hush money to keep quiet about the illegal activities of the corporation. The whistleblower was offered hush money to retract their statement and prevent the scandal from going public.

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7+ Synonyms For Hush Money Idiom

Now that you are aware of the literal meaning behind ‘hush money’, it is time that you go through all the synonyms that can be used in place of this word. Below we have compiled a few of the synonyms for this word which can be easily used while communicating or writing.

Bribe	Kickback
Extortion	Graft

Also Read: Benefit of Doubt Meaning, Examples, Synonyms

Hush Money Idiom Quiz

After going through all the information on the hush money idiom, we have compiled this short quiz for you to help you check your knowledge. You can cross-check your understanding through the answers mentioned at the end. 

1. What is hush money?

A. Money given as a gift

B. Money paid to keep a secret

C. Money earned through illegal activities

2. Which of the following is NOT a synonym for hush money?

A. Bribe

B. Payoff

C. Compliment

3. True or False: Hush money is always a large sum of money.

A. True

B. False

4. In which situation would hush money most likely be used?

A. To reward an employee for good work

B. To silence someone who knows a damaging secret

C. To buy a new car

5. Is it legal to pay hush money?

A. Yes, it is always legal

B. No, it is always illegal

C. It depends on the circumstances

Check Your Answers

1. B) Money paid to keep a secret
2. C) Compliment
3. B) False
4. B) To silence someone who knows a damaging secret
5. C) It depends on the circumstances

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