What does greasing someone mean?

"Greasing someone" carries two distinct meanings, primarily dependent on the context: it can refer to bribing them, or in a more ominous, slang context, it can mean killing them.

Understanding the Dual Meanings of "Greasing Someone"

The phrase "greasing someone" is an interesting idiomatic expression with diverse applications, ranging from clandestine financial transactions to violent acts. Its interpretation relies heavily on the surrounding conversation or situation.

1. To Bribe (Euphemism)

One common interpretation of "greasing someone" is to bribe them. This meaning often implies an act of offering money, favors, or gifts to persuade someone to act in a certain way, usually to one's advantage, or to expedite a process that might otherwise be slow or obstructed. It's a euphemism for an illicit or unethical payment.

• Common Phrasing: The most well-known variation is "to grease someone's palm," directly referring to placing money into someone's hand.
• Purpose: This act aims to secure cooperation, gain unfair advantage, bypass regulations, or simply ensure a desired outcome by influencing a person in a position of authority or control.
• Examples:
  • "We had to grease the planning official's palm to get the building permits approved on time."
  • "He tried to grease the security guard to let him into the exclusive event without a ticket."

2. To Kill (Slang Term)

In a starkly different and much darker context, "greasing someone" is a slang term for killing them. This usage is particularly prevalent in criminal underworld jargon, implying a definitive and often violent elimination of an individual.

• Context: This meaning is typically associated with organized crime, gangs, or other illicit groups where violence is a common means of maintaining control, enforcing rules, or eliminating threats.
• Implication: When used in this sense, it denotes a ruthless and decisive act to remove someone permanently, often due to betrayal, rivalry, or as a punitive measure.
• Examples:
  • "The mob has been known to grease anyone who gets in its way."
  • "After he double-crossed them, they decided it was time to grease him."

Context is Key

Distinguishing between these two vastly different meanings is crucial and entirely depends on the context in which the phrase is used. A discussion about official paperwork might lean towards bribery, while a conversation involving criminal organizations would more likely refer to killing.

Summary of Meanings

To provide a clear distinction, here's a summary:

For more general information on the various meanings and uses of the term "grease," you can refer to its entry on Wikipedia.