The corrupt accept this: to live, cut by ridicule (5)
I believe the answer is:
bribe
'the corrupt' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'live cut by ridicule' is the wordplay.
'live' becomes 'be' (synonyms).
'cut by' indicates putting letters inside (some letters cut into others).
'ridicule' becomes 'rib' (synonyms).
'be' placed around 'rib' is 'BRIBE'.
'accept this to' is the link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bribe that I've seen before include "Corrupt payment" , "Oil the palm (of)" , "Dishonestly persuade" , "Bung" , "Square" .)