bilk
bilk
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "bilk" is:
/bɪlk/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds:
b/: voiced bilabial plosive (like the "b" sound in "bit")
ɪ/: near-close near-back unrounded vowel (like the "i" sound in "bit")
lk/: voiceless velar plosive followed by voiced alveolar fricative (combination of the "k" sound in "key" and the "l" sound)
Word Form Variations
The word "bilk" itself has very limited variations in form. Here's the breakdown:
Singular: bilk (the base form used for one instance of cheating)
Plural: bilks (simply adding an "s" to indicate more than one instance of cheating)
There are no gerund (ing form - bilking) or past participle (ed form - bilked) variations specifically associated with "bilk" because it's not commonly used in those grammatical contexts. The simple past tense would just be "bilked" using the past participle form.
However, there is a related noun form:
Bilker: This refers to someone who habitually bilks others (cheats them).
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Verb:
Definition: To cheat someone out of something, especially money, through deception or trickery.
Synonyms: swindle, defraud, cheat, rip off, fleece, chisel
Antonyms: pay, compensate, reimburse, reward, be honest
Noun:
Definition 1: An act of cheating someone out of something, especially money.
Synonyms: swindle, fraud, deception, rip-off
Antonyms: payment, compensation, reimbursement, reward
Definition 2 (less common): A person who habitually bilks others.
Synonyms: swindler, cheat, con artist, defrauder
Antonyms: honest person, benefactor, payer
Examples of Use
Newspapers:
"The company was accused of bilking investors out of millions through a Ponzi scheme." (Financial Times)
Books:
"Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens: "The artful dodger was notorious for bilking tourists out of their pocket watches."
Online Publications:
"Tech Support Scams: How They Bilk Unsuspecting Consumers" (Consumer Reports)
Entertainment Mediums:
In the movie "The Sting," a group of con artists plot to bilk a ruthless mob boss.
In a game of poker, someone might accuse another player of bilking them by using sleight of hand.
Public Discourse:
"The politician was accused of bilking taxpayers with wasteful spending projects." (This is a common usage in political debates)
"She warned her elderly parents about falling victim to phone scams that bilk people out of their savings." (This is a more casual example of using "bilk" in everyday conversation).
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Bilk
Unfortunately, due to the nature of "bilk" not being a word used by many famous figures and the concept not being prevalent in historical contexts, there aren't many documented quotes from well-known people using "bilk."
However, here are some alternatives that capture the essence of "bilk" using synonyms:
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." - Mark Twain (This quote implies deception, a key aspect of bilking)
"Sharp practice is the making of nine-tenths of a successful lawyer." - Abraham Lincoln (This cynical quote references using dishonest tactics for personal gain)
"There's an old saying that says, 'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.'" - George W. Bush (This quote highlights how repeated deception is a key element of bilking)
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates (This quote emphasises the lack of knowledge victims of bilking have about the scam)
"One watches distrustfully those who praise too quickly." - Molière (This quote suggests suspicion towards those who might be trying to manipulate)
"Confidence is the key to sales. One must believe wholeheartedly in the product." - Sumner Redstone (The irony of this quote highlights the lack of genuine belief in the product by those who bilk)
"The surest way to waste time is to be in a hurry." - Walter Lippmann (This quote emphasises the rushed decision-making that can lead to falling victim to a bilking scheme)
"The best way to lie is to tell the truth, frequently, so your victims will trust you when a lie is needed." - Ian Fleming (This quote describes the manipulative tactics used in bilking)
"Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in its pursuit." - Seneca (This quote speaks to the underlying motivation behind bilking)
"Trust is built in drops and lost in buckets." - Samuel Cooke (This quote emphasises the damage bilking can do to trust).
Etymology
The exact origin of "bilk" is a bit of a mystery! Experts believe it showed up in English around the 1640s, but they're not sure exactly how it came to be.
One theory is that it might be related to the word "balk," which means to hinder or stop someone. Imagine a game of cards where you can strategically discard cards to prevent your opponent from getting a good score. That kind of strategic hindering might be where "bilk" first started, though this is just a guess.
Another idea is that "bilk" might have just been a random word someone made up back then. It wasn't even considered a real word by some people in the 17th century!
The first known uses of "bilk" were actually related to a specific card game called cribbage. In cribbage, there's a way to discard cards that makes it harder for your opponent to score points. Back then, "bilk" might have described this strategy.
Over time, the meaning of "bilk" broadened to describe any kind of cheating where someone gets tricked out of money or something else valuable. So, even though its origins are fuzzy, "bilk" found a clear purpose in our language!
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Bilk
While there aren't many common idioms directly using "bilk," here are some phrases that capture the concept of cheating someone out of something:
Bilk someone out of something: This is the most straightforward way to use "bilk" and directly expresses the act of cheating. (e.g., "The salesman bilked him out of his life savings with a fake investment scheme.")
Get bilked: This is the passive voice version, highlighting the victim's experience. (e.g., "She got bilked by a phone scammer who promised a free vacation.")
Bilk on (one's) debts: This refers to someone deliberately avoiding paying what they owe. (e.g., "The company bilked on its debts and filed for bankruptcy.")
Bilk the system: This implies exploiting a system for personal gain, often unethically. (e.g., "Some people try to bilk the welfare system by claiming benefits they don't qualify for.")
Here are some idioms that share a similar meaning to "bilk":
Pull a fast one: This describes a quick and clever trick to cheat someone.
Rip someone off: This is a more informal way to say someone is cheated, often for money.
Fleece someone: This implies someone is completely cheated and left with nothing.
Do someone dirty: This is a general term for treating someone unfairly or dishonestly.
Stick it to someone: This is a slang term for cheating someone in a way that is considered unfair or mean.
Posts Related to Bilk
Source Information
Definition of bilk from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
