offer one can't refuse

offer one can't refuse

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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Noun

offer one can't refuse (plural offers one can't refuse)

1. (idiomatic) An offer from one side in a transaction with terms so attractive that the other side is almost guaranteed to accept.
   • 2006 Feb. 5, Michael D. Lemonick, "Are We Losing Our Edge?," Time:

     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.

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.
   • 1991 Sept. 22, Edward Rothstein, "Film: Hard Up for a Plot? Get With the Program," New York Times (retrieved 29 July 2012):

     The Mafia godfather Rocco . . . makes Jack an offer he can't refuse: marry Carol or else.

Synonyms

• (attractive offer):
• (threat): extortion