| 释义 |
back-hander
[f. as prec. + -er1.]
1. a. A blow with the back of the hand.
1803Censor 1 Apr. 44 He will..‘give me such a back hander, as will send me reeling a dozen yards.’ 1836Marryat Midsh. Easy (1864) 11 ‘Go away Sarah,’ said Johnny with a backhander. 1881E. J. Worboise Sissie xxii, A heavy backhander by way of punishment.
b. fig.
1862G. J. Whyte-Melville Inside Bar x. (ed. 12) 363 This was obviously a back-hander at James. 1880World 21 Aug. 7 The Lieutenant-General got a prompt backhander when he asked for a return of the contributions.
2. An extra glass of wine out of turn, the bottle being passed back.
1854Thackeray Newcomes II. 48, I will take a back⁓hander, as Clive don't seem to drink.
3. A back-handed stroke or blow. Cf. back-handed a. 2
1890H. W. W. Wilberforce in C. G. Heathcote Tennis 266 Few, if any, ladies can volley with effect, and the efforts of most to take a back-hander result in nothing better than a graceful scoop. 1958J. Hislop From Start to Finish 166 Backhander, hitting a horse with a whip in the carrying position. 1959Times 19 May 4/5 [Polo] A partial clearing gave Gracida the chance to whack in a stinging backhander.
4. A tip or bribe made surreptitiously, a secret payment. slang.
1960D. Storey Sporting Life ii. iii. 207 That's how he hopes to get the car—from the backhander he'll get. 1962J. Tunstall Fishermen iv. 109 A boy who helps with a few odd jobs..can collect {pstlg}5 or more in backhanders. Ibid. v. 125 Since the man's ability does not seem to qualify him, he is..suspected of having won the job by giving a backhander. 1968Listener 7 Mar. 295/1 A bit of a backhander and, boy, you're in. |