PhrasesHub

Slush fund

    Definitions

      • secret fund
        A sum of money that is kept hidden and used for illicit or unauthorized purposes, often for personal gain or to bribe someone

      • discretionary fund
        A reserve of money set aside for unspecified purposes, often used for non-essential or miscellaneous expenses

    Examples of Slush fund

    • The shady politician was caught funneling money from his slush fund into his own personal accounts.

      In this example, the idiom "slush fund" is being used as a noun to refer to a secret, hidden fund that is often used for corrupt or illicit purposes. In this case, the politician is using the funds for his own personal gain instead of for their intended purpose.

    • The company's executives have been accused of dipping into the slush fund for their own pet projects.

      In this example, the idiom "slush fund" is being used as a noun to refer to a fund set aside for discretionary spending or pet projects. However, here it is being used in a negative context as the executives are using the funds for their own personal projects rather than for the benefit of the company as a whole.

    • The organization's slush fund has been a major source of controversy in recent years.

      In this example, the idiom "slush fund" is being used as a noun to refer to a fund that is not clearly defined or accounted for. This usage can be neutral, but in this case, it is being used in a negative context as the fund has become a topic of controversy due to allegations of misuse or corruption.

    • In order to avoid accusations of impropriety, the politician transferred the funds from his slush account to a more transparent and accountable fund.

      In this example, the idiom "slush fund" is being used as a noun to refer to a secret or illicit fund. The politician is taking action to avoid allegations of impropriety by transferring the funds to a more transparent and accountable fund, which suggests that the original slush fund was not being used in a transparent or accountable manner.

    • The politician was caught embezzling funds from a slush fund set up for a charitable cause.

      A slush fund is an unofficial and often secretly-maintained fund used to finance private or political activities without proper records or authorization. In this example, the politician misused the funds intended for a charitable cause by diverting them for personal or political gains.

    • The company CEO used company resources and funds to set up a slush fund for his own personal use.

      Here, the CEO created a slush fund using the resources and funds of the company for his own personal use, which could be considered as a misappropriation of company funds.

    • The department head created a slush fund to finance a research project without proper authorization.

      This example describes a situation where the department head created a fund outside the official channels to finance a research project without proper authorization or approval. This could pose a conflict of interest and violate company policies.

    • The organization's finances were scrutinized after allegations that a slush fund was being used to finance political campaigns.

      In this example, the organization's finances came under scrutiny following allegations that a slush fund was being used to finance political campaigns without proper authorization or transparency. This could damage the organization's reputation and lead to legal or regulatory action.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "slush fund" can have two distinct meanings. It can refer to a secret fund used for illicit or unauthorized purposes, or it can also refer to a discretionary fund set aside for unspecified expenses. In both cases, the term carries a negative connotation, suggesting dishonesty or lack of transparency.

    Origin of "Slush fund"

    The origin of the idiom "slush fund" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the early 19th century. The term "slush" originally referred to the waste fat left over from cooking, especially on ships. Sailors would sell this slush to tallow makers, and the money earned from this sale was often used for personal or unauthorized purposes. Over time, the term "slush fund" came to be associated with any illicit or discretionary fund, and it has since become a common idiom in the English language.

    Examples:

    • The politician was found to have a slush fund for bribing officials.
    • The company used a slush fund to cover up their unethical practices.