grease someone's palm

Slang Dictionary

palm definition


  1. tv.
    to conceal something in the hand as in a theft or the performance of a magic trick; to receive and conceal a tip or a bribe. : The kid palmed the candy bar and walked right out of the store.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

grease someone's palm

Also, oil someone's palm or hand. Give someone money in exchange for a favor; also, bribe someone. For example, If you want you luggage to make the plane, be sure to grease the porter's palm. This term uses grease in the sense of "enrich." [First half of 1500s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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