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general::
Phrase(s): sweetheart agreement [and] sweetheart deal
a private agreement reached between a public agency or government official and a private company that includes illicit payments or special favors. • They found that the mayor was involved in a number of sweetheart agreements. • Most of the building contractors in town would be out of business if they didn’t have sweetheart deals with the local politicians.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs