Phrasal verbs "check out" vs "pay out"

Differences between check out and pay out

Check out means to investigate, examine, or look at something or someone closely, while pay out means to give money to someone in exchange for goods or services.

Meanings and Definitions: check out vs pay out

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Check out

  • 1Pay the bill when leaving a hotel.

    She CHECKED OUT and took a cab to the airport.

  • 2Die.

    She CHECKED OUT last week; the funeral's tomorrow.

  • 3Get information about or inspect something to see if it's satisfactory.

    I CHECKED the new restaurant OUT as soon as it opened.

Pay out

  • 1To distribute money, especially as a result of an investment.

    It’ll be a few years before our investments start paying out.

  • 2To spend or distribute money, especially a large amount.

    We’ve paid out thousands of pounds in health insurance over the years.

Usage Examples: check out, pay out in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

check out

Example

I need to check out of the hotel by 11 am.

Example

She checks out of the hotel early in the morning.

pay out

Example

The company will pay out dividends to its shareholders.

Example

The insurance company pays out claims to its customers.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Check out

To investigate or examine something thoroughly.

Example

The police decided to look into the matter further to find out who was responsible for the theft.

To investigate or examine a place or situation to gather information.

Example

Before starting the project, they decided to scope out the competition to see what they were doing differently.

size up

To evaluate or assess someone or something, often by looking at them carefully.

Example

She quickly sized up the new employee and realized that he had great potential for the company.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pay out

To pay a large amount of money for something, often reluctantly.

Example

He had to shell out a lot of money to repair his car after the accident.

To give or pay money, often unwillingly or with reluctance.

Example

He had to fork over a lot of money to pay for his son's college tuition.

cough up

To give or pay money, often with reluctance or difficulty.

Example

He had to cough up a lot of money to pay for the damages caused by his negligence.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “check”

Phrasal Verbs with “pay”

Phrasal Verbs with “out”

Differences in check out vs pay out: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: check out or pay out?

In daily conversation, people use check out more often than pay out. This is because check out is used for a variety of situations such as researching a product, examining a person's appearance, or leaving a place. On the other hand, pay out is used mainly when we're talking about financial transactions. So, while both phrases are used, check out is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of check out and pay out

Check out and pay out are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of check out and pay out

The tone of check out and pay out can differ based on context. Check out often carries a curious or investigative tone when related to researching or examining something, while pay out typically has a practical and business-like tone, especially when referring to financial transactions.

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