Make him an offer he can't refuse

Meaning

The 'offer' being 'do as I say or I'll kill you'.

Origin

This is the best-known line from The Godfather book and film, both written by Mario Puzo. In fact, it is one of the best-known lines in any film and ranks second only to 'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.' as the most celebrated quotation from an American film. The 'offer he can't refuse' line is used in all of the films of the Godfather trilogy but varies slightly throughout and it isn't always easy to hear through all that cotton wool.

In the first occurrence in the first film it is 'I'll make him an offer he can't refuse'. In one of the film's best-known scenes Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) is visited by his godson, the famous singer Johnny Fontane (Al Martino) - a characterisation that is widely believed to be based on Frank Sinatra, although many people associated with Sinatra and the film have denied this.

Fontane asks for Vito's help to secure a film role that will boost his fading career. The head of the film studio, has previously refused to give Fontane the part, but Don Corleone tells Johnny:

"I'll make him an offer he can't refuse."

The studio head later wakes to find the severed head of his expensive racehorse in his bed. Unsurprisingly, Fontane is subsequently given the part.