Dictionary

offer one can't refuse en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Unknown. A famous example is found in the film The Godfather (1972).

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) An offer from one side in a transaction with terms so attractive that the other side is almost guaranteed to accept.
   • But in 2001 the government of Singapore made him an offer he couldn't refuse: the directorship of the brand new Genome Institute along with a $25 million starting budget. 2006 February 5, Michael D. Lemonick, “Are We Losing Our Edge?”, in Time:
2. (idiomatic) A threatening offer by one party for which the results of failing to accept are so unattractive that the other party is almost compelled to accept.
   • The Mafia godfather Rocco . . . makes Jack an offer he can't refuse: marry Carol or else. 1991 September 22, Edward Rothstein, “Film: Hard Up for a Plot? Get With the Program”, in New York Times, retrieved 29 Jul 2012:

Forms

Synonyms

extortion (threat)