pay off

/peɪ ɑf/

/peɪ ɒf/

Other forms: paying off; pays off

Definitions of pay off

1. verb

   eliminate by paying off (debts)
   synonyms: liquidate

   types:

   lift

   pay off (a mortgage)

   amortise, amortize

   pay off a debt by making periodic payments

   type of:

   ante up, pay, pay up

   cancel or discharge a debt
2. verb

   pay off (loans or promissory notes)
   synonyms: redeem

   type of:

   pay

   give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
3. verb

   yield a profit or result
   “His efforts finally paid off”

   type of:

   bear, pay, yield

   bring in
4. verb

   pay someone with influence in order to receive a favor
   synonyms: buy off

   type of:

   bribe, buy, corrupt, grease one's palms

   make illegal payments to in exchange for favors or influence
5. verb

   do or give something to somebody in return
   synonyms: compensate, make up, pay

   type of:

   settle

   dispose of; make a financial settlement
6. verb

   take vengeance on or get even
   synonyms: fix, get, pay back

   pay

   make a compensation for

   type of:

   get back, get even

   take revenge or even out a score