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take bribes

[teɪk braɪbz]
verb phrase
aceitar subornos
1. to accept money or favors illegally in exchange for performing official duties improperly or abusing one's position of authority
The corrupt official was caught taking bribes from construction companies.
O funcionário corrupto foi apanhado aceitando subornos de empresas de construção.
2. to engage in bribery as a recipient of illegal payments
Several police officers were arrested for taking bribes.
Vários polícias foram presos por aceitarem subornos.
NYC Slang
on the take
Synonyms
accept bribesbe bribedreceive bribessolicit bribesextort money
Antonyms
refuse bribesreject bribesact with integrityoperate transparently

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
aceitar subornos
standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
pegar propina
colloquial alternative
São Paulo
aceitar subornos
formal standard usage
Portugal
aceitar subornos
standard formal usage; may also use 'receber propina'

Related Idioms & Phrases

have one's hand in the cookie jar
line one's pockets
grease the palm
under the table
a little something for the effort
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