Bribery
In short
Bribery is the corrupt act of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value to influence the actions of an official or person in charge.
In plain words
It happens when someone uses money or gifts to make a person in power break the rules. This person is usually expected to act honestly but chooses to act unfairly instead. It is a dishonest way to get an advantage.
A simple example
A builder gives a local councillor a large sum of cash to ensure they win a contract for a new housing project. This is bribery because the money is used to bypass fair competition.
Why it matters
It undermines trust in government and businesses, making systems unfair for everyone else. It can lead to poor quality work and wasted public money.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse bribery with a standard discount or a gift that is given openly to everyone under the same rules.