Schmiergeld

bribe; kickback

noun SHMEER-gelt Rare

Usage Note

Schmiergeld (literally 'grease money') is an informal but widely used term for a bribe paid to facilitate a deal or gain favour. The formal legal term is Bestechungsgeld. Schmiergeld zahlen — to pay a bribe.

Examples

"Der Manager wurde beschuldigt, Schmiergeld angenommen zu haben."

Natural Translation

The manager was accused of having accepted bribes.

Literal Translation

The manager was accused, bribe accepted to have.

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