Blackmail into doing Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈbɫækˌmeɪɫ/ /ˈɪntu/, /ɪnˈtu/, /ɪntə/ /ˈduɪŋ

BLAK-mail IN-too DOO-ing

UK

blˈækmeɪl/ /ˈɪntʊ/ /dˈuːɪŋ

blak-MAIL IN-tuh DOO-ing

Definition

To threaten someone to force them to do something they don't want to do, usually by using secrets or the promise of harm if they refuse.

Usage & Nuances

Formal and informal contexts; 'blackmail into doing' always takes an object and an action: 'blackmail someone into doing something'. Common for serious/coercive situations; not used for light teasing. Can also see 'blackmail someone into (action)'. Don't confuse with legal/financial 'blackmail' (noun), but the meaning is related.

• Spanish: chantajear para que haga (algo)
• Portuguese (BR): chantagear alguém para fazer (algo)
• Portuguese (PT): chantagear alguém para fazer (algo)
• Chinese (Simplified): 勒索（某人）做某事
• Chinese (Traditional): 勒索（某人）做某事
• Hindi: ब्लैकमेल कर के कुछ करवाना
• Arabic: ابتزاز شخص ليفعل شيئًا
• Bengali: ব্ল্যাকমেইল করে বাধ্য করা - জোর করে ভয় দেখিয়ে কিছু করানো
• Russian: шантажировать сделать - вынудить шантажом
• Japanese: 脅迫して〜させる - ゆすって〜させる
• Vietnamese: tống tiền để buộc (ai đó) làm gì
• Korean: 협박해서 하게 하다
• Turkish: şantaj yaparak yaptırmak
• Urdu: بلیک میل کر کے کروانا
• Indonesian: memeras untuk memaksa (seseorang) melakukan

Example Sentences

He tried to blackmail her into doing his homework.

basic

She was blackmailed into doing something illegal.

basic

The boss blackmailed him into doing extra work.

basic

He felt terrible after being blackmailed into doing something he regretted.

natural

I can't believe she managed to blackmail him into doing her chores all year.

natural

Sometimes siblings try to blackmail each other into doing favors, but it usually backfires.

natural