A bribe will enter without knocking.

A bribe can gain access or cooperation without the ordinary request for permission. The image of entering unannounced suggests that money offered improperly can make a guarded door seem open.

The proverb points to the power of illicit payment to bypass resistance or procedure. It describes how a bribe may be welcomed where a straightforward approach would face scrutiny or refusal.

Use it to comment on a situation in which an improper payment appears to secure a favor, an exception, or access that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. It can express criticism of both the offer and the willingness to accept it.