Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.
buy off: bribe, pay someone to do something illegal or unethical.
Example:
The politician bought off the union vote by promising the union leaders they would get an exemption from the onerous legislation.
take on: to accept a project; to hire someone.
Example:
I know you’ve got your plate full, but do you suppose you could possibly take on another project?