backhander

/ˈbækˌhændər/
noun
  1. A bribe, or a secret and illegal payment made to someone to get them to do something dishonest.
    • Several officials were arrested for accepting backhanders from companies.
    • The contractor paid a backhander to secure the building contract.
    • He lost his job after it was discovered he had taken a backhander.
  2. A blow or hit given with the back of the hand.
    • In the old movie, the angry king gave the messenger a backhander.
    • She flinched, remembering the backhander she had received as a child.
    • The villain delivered a sharp backhander across the hero's face.
What does "backhander" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean