oil (one's) palm

oil (one's) palm

To bribe one (to do or facilitate something), as or as if by slipping money into one's hand. A: "How are we going to get a table without a reservation?" B: "Don't worry, I oiled the hostess' palm, and she promised us a table in no time." I oiled my brother's palm to stop him from telling Mom that I had a party while she was away.

See also: oil, palm

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

oil (someone's)

hand/palm Informal

1. To bribe: an attorney who tried to oil the judge's hand to obtain a favorable verdict.

2. To give a tip to: oiled the porter's palm.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.