kickback
/ˈkɪkbæk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɪkbæk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkik-ˌbak/ (ame, mw)
kickback — noun
- kickbacksingular
- kickbacksplural
1. a secret payment given to someone in return for helping the payer win a contract
a secret payment given to someone in return for helping the payer win a contract, job, or other unfair advantage, usually as part of a corrupt arrangement
Tariq was arrested for accepting kickbacks from a road-building company.
kickback from + company name
The minister had been pocketing kickbacks for years before journalists exposed the scheme.
pocket kickbacks (verb + noun collocation)
Investigators believe the hospital director received a kickback for choosing the more expensive supplier.
Zuri refused to pay any kickback, even though it cost her the contract.
Police uncovered a long trail of kickbacks linking the construction firm to several council members.
- bribe
broader — any illegal payment to influence a decision, not necessarily a cut of a deal
- payoff
informal; a one-off payment for silence or favour, not always tied to a contract
- backhander
British informal; a discreet illegal payment, often handed over physically
文法句型
kickback from someone
kickback for doing something
用法筆記
Subject of the verb (giver or taker) is usually a contractor, official, or company employee. Common verbs: pay, receive, accept, take, demand, offer, pocket. Often plural when describing an ongoing pattern.
常見錯誤
kickback — verb
- kickbackpresent simple I / you / we / they
- kickbacks3rd person singular
- kickbacking-ing form
- kickbackedpast simple
1. to settle into a relaxed pose and stop working or worrying for a while, typicall
to settle into a relaxed pose and stop working or worrying for a while, typically by leaning back, putting your feet up, and doing something easy
After a long shift, Vinícius likes to kick back on the porch with a cold beer.
kick back + location + with + object
Esme finally finished her exams, so tonight she plans to kick back and watch old movies.
kick back and + verb (chained activity)
The crew kicked back in the shade once the harvest was loaded onto the truck.
It is rare to see Marta just kick back, since she always finds another small task to do.
- grind away
informal; to keep working hard without rest
文法句型
kick back and + verb
kick back with someone/something
用法筆記
Almost always paired with a location phrase (on the sofa, in the garden, at home) or a follow-up activity introduced by 'and' (kick back and read, kick back and watch). Mainly American English; less natural in formal writing.