Meaning
- To repay a debt or loan in full.
- To result in success or a reward.
- To bribe someone.
Today's Sentences
01
All those rehearsals really paid off.
Situation
What an amazing show!
Right?
All those rehearsals really paid off.
We sounded better than ever!
The applause that filled the room afterwards was emotionally rewarding.
02
All that overtime really paid off.
Situation
Guess who just got promoted?
No way!
All that overtime really paid off, huh?
Either that, or they just got tired of me hanging around.
They're lucky to have you.
Anyways, congratulations!
Writer's Note
"Pay off" is a transitive, intransitive, and separable phrasal verb. Let’s dive into each type together.
- Transitive - Requires an object for the sentence to make sense.
Example 1: She paid off her student loans in five years.
Example 2: They finally paid off the mortgage.
Example 3: The company paid off its outstanding debts. - Intransitive - A verb phrase that doesn’t require an object to complete its meaning.
Example 1: All their late-night rehearsals paid off on opening night.
Example 2: The risk paid off! They doubled their investment.
Example 3: Your hard work will pay off eventually. - Separable - When an object can go between the particle "pay" and the article "off".
Example 1: He paid it off in full last month.
Example 2: We’re trying to pay the balance off before vacation.
Example 3: She paid the credit card off just in time.
Related Words: Achieve results, bribe, cancel a debt, compensate, discharge, give a return, make worthwhile, produce benefits, recoup, reimburse, repay, reward, settle, succeed, yield results
