Street
grease
What does grease mean?
To 'grease' someone (or 'grease a palm') is to bribe them, smoothing the way for illicit business.
"They greased the inspector to keep the club open."
Origin
English slang; from 'grease the palm,' recorded since the 16th century.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'grease' mean as a verb here?
To bribe someone, especially to smooth the way for illicit business, as in the fuller phrase 'grease someone's palm'.
Where does 'grease the palm' come from?
It is old English slang recorded since at least the 16th century, drawing on the image of oiling or greasing something to make it move smoothly.
How is 'grease' used in a sentence?
For example, 'They greased the inspector to keep the club open' means they paid him off to look the other way.
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