pay off

verb

1. tr, adverb to pay all that is due in wages, etc, and discharge from employment
2. tr, adverb to pay the complete amount of (a debt, bill, etc)
3. intr, adverb to turn out to be profitable, effective, etc

   the gamble paid off

4. tr, adverborintr, preposition to take revenge on (a person) or for (a wrong done)

   to pay someone off for an insult

5. informal.
   tr, adverb to give a bribe to
6. intr, adverb nautical (of a vessel) to make leeway

noun

1. the final settlement, esp in retribution

   the payoff came when the gang besieged the squealer's house

2. informal.
   the climax, consequence, or outcome of events, a story, etc, esp when unexpected or improbable
3. the final payment of a debt, salary, etc
4. the time of such a payment
5. informal.
   a bribe

Example Sentences

Because of skyrocketing liability payouts, which also stem from cases involving employment matters and police use of force and negligence, the city is considering borrowing $80 million to pay off some judgments and settlements.

From Los Angeles Times

But most voters apparently understood that Proposition 5 would lead to passage of more local bonds — and that would bump up their property taxes to pay off the borrowing.

From Los Angeles Times

But officials made an early decision that would pay off: by prioritizing life-saving missions over property protection, no one died in the otherwise devastating wildfire.

From Los Angeles Times

The work and sacrifice are beginning to pay off, however, so much so that Shumake was able to sign nearly a dozen sponsors this season.

From Los Angeles Times

The Sandy Hook lawsuit drove Jones to bankruptcy, and a Houston judge ruled that Infowars and other assets owned by Jones could be auctioned off to pay off his creditors.

From Salon

Related Words

• amount
• award
• cash
• deposit
• disbursement
• fee
• outlay
• pension
• premium
• refund
• reimbursement
• remittance
• reparation
• repayment
• restitution
• return
• reward
• royalty
• salary
• settlement