pay to play English

Meaning pay to play meaning

What does pay to play mean?

pay to play verb

— (by extension) To incur a cost to participate in an activity

— especially (US, politics) To make a campaign contribution or illegal payment to avail oneself of business or other opportunities controlled by politicians

pay to play noun

— Any kind of charge to engage in an activity

— especially (US, politics) Campaign contributions (or outright bribes or graft) required to avail oneself of certain opportunities controlled by politicians, such as uncompetitive government contracts.