“Grease someone's palm”in other languages
Bribe someone.
English
French
Polish
EnglishFrenchPolishSame idea, different pictures
English and French grease the hand, or in French the paw, graisser la patte, so that things run smoothly. Polish takes the money “into the paw”, wziąć w łapę.
The animal paw in French and Polish adds a little contempt: whoever takes the bribe is treated like a beast grabbing food.
More sayings in other languages
- Hammer and tongs
- Have a thing for someone
- Have a free hand
- Have a lot on one's plate
- Have a nerve
- Have had it up to here
- Have one's back to the wall
- Have one's head in the clouds
- Hit the nail on the head