blackmail
To demand money, favors, or specific actions from someone by threatening to reveal embarrassing or damaging information about them. It involves using a person's secrets or weaknesses as a way to coerce them into compliance.
Exemplos
3 de 5He tried to blackmail his sister into doing his chores by threatening to tell their parents she stayed out late.
He attempted to force his sister to do his work by using a secret against her.
The defendant was accused of attempting to blackmail a high-ranking government official for political gain.
The person on trial was charged with trying to coerce a politician using damaging information.
You can't blackmail me with that old photo; everyone already knows about it!
You cannot use that photo to threaten me because it is no longer a secret.
Família de palavras
Dica de memorização
Think of a 'black' (secret or dark) 'mail' (letter). It's a dark letter sent to scare someone into giving you what you want.
Quiz rápido
The criminal tried to ________ the actor by threatening to leak his private messages to the press.
Correto!
A resposta correta é: blackmail
Exemplos
He tried to blackmail his sister into doing his chores by threatening to tell their parents she stayed out late.
everydayHe attempted to force his sister to do his work by using a secret against her.
The defendant was accused of attempting to blackmail a high-ranking government official for political gain.
formalThe person on trial was charged with trying to coerce a politician using damaging information.
You can't blackmail me with that old photo; everyone already knows about it!
informalYou cannot use that photo to threaten me because it is no longer a secret.
Legal scholars argue that blackmail is a unique crime because it often involves the threat of doing something otherwise legal, like telling the truth.
academicAcademic experts discuss why blackmail is complex, as it involves threatening to reveal facts.
The company refused to be blackmailed by the hackers who had stolen their customer database.
businessThe business would not give in to the demands of the criminals who stole their data.
Família de palavras
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
moral blackmail
forcing someone to do something by making them feel guilty
cyber blackmail
using digital data or photos to extort someone
levy blackmail
to demand a payment through threats
Frequentemente confundido com
Extortion is a broader term often involving physical force or official authority; blackmail specifically uses the threat of revealing secrets.
Bribery involves offering a benefit to influence someone, whereas blackmail involves a threat to cause harm.
Notas de uso
The word functions as both a verb and a noun. While it is a serious legal charge, it is also used colloquially to describe interpersonal manipulation, such as 'emotional blackmail'.
Erros comuns
Learners often forget the preposition 'into' when used with a verb (e.g., 'blackmail him into signing' is correct, not 'blackmail him to sign').
Dica de memorização
Think of a 'black' (secret or dark) 'mail' (letter). It's a dark letter sent to scare someone into giving you what you want.
Origem da palavra
Derived from the 16th-century Scottish word 'mail' (rent/tax), where 'black' referred to payment made in labor or goods rather than 'white' money (silver).
Padrões gramaticais
Contexto cultural
Blackmail is a classic plot device in English literature and detective noir, often used to create tension in mystery novels.
Quiz rápido
The criminal tried to ________ the actor by threatening to leak his private messages to the press.
Correto!
A resposta correta é: blackmail
Palavras relacionadas
complement
A2A thing that completes or brings to perfection something else. In grammar, it refers to a word or phrase that follows a verb and provides more information about the subject or object.
compound
A2Describes something that is made of two or more separate parts or elements joined together. It is often used to talk about words, sentences, or chemical substances that have multiple components.
conceive
A2To form an idea, plan, or concept in the mind. It is also the medical term used to describe when a woman becomes pregnant.
confer
A2To discuss something with other people in order to reach a decision or exchange ideas. It can also mean to officially give an honor, title, or degree to someone.
conform
A2To behave according to rules, standards, or what is expected by a group of people. It means to fit in or act in a way that matches others.
consecutive
A2Following one after another in a continuous series without any breaks. It describes things that happen in a logical order, like numbers (1, 2, 3) or days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).
consistency
A2Consistency is the quality of always acting or behaving in the same way. it also describes how thick or smooth a liquid or substance is.
disclude
B1Describing a state where someone or something is left out, omitted, or not allowed to participate in a group or activity. It refers to the condition of being kept apart from a whole or a set.
antiformous
B1Describes a shape or structure that is curved or folded upwards like an arch. It is most often used in geology and geometry to describe a convex surface.
interspect
B1Describing a person who is thoughtful and focused on their own internal thoughts and feelings. It refers to the act of looking inward to examine one's own emotions and motives rather than focusing on external things.
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