To "put out a contract" refers to the act of privately hiring someone to commit a specific crime or harmful act against another individual, typically with the intent of causing harm, extracting revenge, or eliminating a targeted person. This phrase primarily finds usage within criminal or underworld activities.
The term "put out" implies the offer or request to hire someone, while "contract" signifies the agreement or arrangement made between the parties involved. These contracts are often carried out secretly or discreetly, involving illegal activities such as murder, assault, kidnapping, or sabotage.
The act of putting out a contract usually involves private negotiations between the person desiring the harm and a contract killer, hitman, or professional criminal capable of executing the task. This underworld or illicit arrangement is typically motivated by personal animosity, financial gains, revenge, or as a means to remove a particular threat or obstacle.
The phrase is figuratively derived from the legal and business realm, where contracts are typically used for legitimate purposes. However, when "putting out a contract," the activity is inherently illegal and morally reprehensible, often associated with criminal organizations, organized crime, or individuals operating outside the boundaries of the law.
Due to its illegal nature and the severe consequences it entails, the act of putting out a contract is subject to prosecution and significant criminal charges in many jurisdictions worldwide.
