on the take
(redirected from a cop on the take)on the take
In receipt of bribes or income from illegal avenues. Everyone knows that the majority of politicians are on the take. That's the reason the biggest corporations have the greatest influence on the legislation. You're naïve if you think there aren't cops on the take in this town.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
on the take
taking bribes. (Underworld.) I heard that the mayor is on the take. Everyone in city hall is on the take.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
on the take
Accepting bribes or other illegal income, as in The commission found a number of police officers on the take. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
on the take
taking bribes. informal 1990 Morley Torgov St. Farb's Day I seen plenty of cops drive Mercedes. The ones that're on the take.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
on the take
mod. taking bribes. (Underworld.) Everyone in city hall is on the take.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
on the take
Informal Taking or seeking to take bribes or illegal income: "There were policemen on the take" (Scott Turow).
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.