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to pay off
[phrase form: pay]
01
(of a plan or action) to succeed and have good results
Intransitive
Examples
All those hours of studying really paid off during the exam.
02
to give the full amount of money owed on a debt or loan
Transitive: to pay off a debt or loan
Examples
She finally paid off her student loans after ten years.
03
to get revenge on someone for something they did
Transitive: to pay off sb
Examples
They waited for the right moment to pay the bullies off.
04
to give something back to someone in return for something they did
Transitive: to pay off sb
Examples
To pay him off for his years of service, they named a building after him.
05
to give someone money, often secretly, to get a favor or advantage
Transitive: to pay off sb
Examples
Politicians should n't be allowed to be paid off by corporations.
06
to give someone a final payment when their job ends
Transitive: to pay off an employee
Examples
The economic crisis meant they had to pay off many experienced employees.
