Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

offer one can't refuse

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.29 in modern English

Syllables: of-fer- one -can't refuse
IPA

29

Scrabble Score

18

Letters

4

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An offer from one side in a transaction with terms so attractive that the other side is almost guaranteed to accept.

noun

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.

Example Sentences

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

Etymology

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

Inflected Forms

offers one can't refuse (plural)

Synonyms

extortion

Questions

What does offer one can't refuse mean?: An offer from one side in a transaction with terms so attractive that the other side is almost guaranteed to accept.
Where does offer one can't refuse come from?: Unknown. A famous example is found in the film The Godfather (1972).

How to pronounce offer one can't refuse

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