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Ashahrabif Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary

settle misdemeanours + dent ballance sheet

Banks, once beacons of probity, rig interest rates, mis-sell products, launder drug money, flout international embargoes, hide away fortunes in safe havens. They settle their ‘misdemeanours’ for huge sums that hardly dent their balance sheets.

What is the meaning of last sentence?
  

Top answer

They settle their ‘misdemeanours’ for huge sums that hardly dent their balance sheets . = They pay a lot of money (though it is not a lot of money for them) to cover up their crimes.

— Mister Micawber

  • They settle their ‘misdemeanours’ for huge sums that hardly dent their balance sheets .
  • = They pay a lot of money (though it is not a lot of money for them) to cover up their crimes.
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3 Answers
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They settle their ‘misdemeanours’ for huge sums that hardly dent their balance sheets. = They pay a lot of money (though it is not a lot of money for them) to cover up their crimes.
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I'd say 'settle their misdemeanours' meant 'pay the penalties imposed for their crimes' rather than cover up for them.
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fivejedjonI'd say 'settle their misdemeanours' meant 'pay the penalties imposed for their crimes' rather than cover up for them
Yes, I agree. I see we are talking about banks.
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