an offer one can't refuse
An offer in which the repercussions for refusing would be so great that to do so would be either be dangerous or ill-advised. It often implies the "offer" is a threat, but this is not always the case. The phrase was coined by Mario Puzo in his 1969 novel The Godfather, and popularized by the 1972 Francis Ford Coppola film adaptation of the same name. If he's not willing to agree to the contract, I might have to bring a few men over and make him an offer he can't refuse. The buyout deal was worth $9 billion to the company, so, really, it was an offer we couldn't refuse.
offer affordance(s)
To provide the means for something to happen or take place. Of course, man-made systems of organization in any field inherently offer affordances for error and exploitation, as the human element can neither be escaped nor denied. While many see the increasing amount of technology as a detriment to children's minds, one cannot underestimate how it also offers affordance to their increased capacity to learn and access information.
offer the olive branch (to someone)
To extend an offer or gesture of peace, reconciliation, truce, etc. (to someone), so as to end a disagreement or dispute. (Can also be formulated as "offer someone the olive branch.") The conservatives in Congress seem to be offering the olive branch to Democrats on the issue of raising the debt ceiling. If you find yourself in a spat with a friend, try to be the bigger person and be the one to offer the olive branch. I was still hurt by the way my parents had lied to me, but I decided to offer them the olive branch at Christmas.
offer an olive branch (to someone)
To extend an offer or gesture of peace, reconciliation, truce, etc. (to someone), so as to end a disagreement or dispute. (Can also be formulated as "offer someone an olive branch.") The conservatives in Congress seem to be offering an olive branch to Democrats on the issue of raising the debt ceiling. If you find yourself in a spat with a friend, try to be the bigger person and be the one to offer an olive branch. I was still hurt by the way my parents had lied to me, but I decided to offer them an olive branch at Christmas.
offer (someone) (one's) condolences
To extend a semi-formal declaration or expression of sympathy to someone who has experienced a recent pain, grief, or misfortune, especially the death of a relative or loved one. Tom, I just heard about your wife's passing and wanted to offer my most sincere condolences. We're calling over after lunch to offer condolences to the family. Jane wasn't able to make it to the funeral, but she wanted to offer you her condolences nonetheless.
*a helping hand
Fig. help; physical help, especially with the hands. (*Typically: get ~; need ~; give someone ~; offer ~; offer someone ~.) When you feel like you need a helping hand making dinner, just let me know.
make someone an offer
to offer someone an amount of money for something. (Usually an invitation.) Do you like it? Make me an offer.
*offer one cannot refuse
Cliché a very attractive offer. (*Typically: give one ~; make ~; make one ~.) He made me an offer I could not refuse, so I sold him my car.
offer something for something
to suggest a certain amount of money as a purchase price for something. I'll offer you ten bucks for that watch. They offered me very little for my car.
offer something to someone (as something)
to propose giving something to someone as a gift, peace offering, payment, etc. They offered us a bunch of flowers as a peace offering. As an apology, I offered a gift to the hostess.
offer something up (to someone or something)
to give something to someone or something as a mark of devotion, thanks, etc. We offered our gratitude up to the ruler. We offered up our gratitude to the queen.