Differences between marry off and pay off

Marry off means to find a suitable partner for someone and arrange their marriage, while pay off means to give money to someone in order to settle a debt or achieve a desired outcome.

Meanings and Definitions: marry off vs pay off

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Marry off

1To arrange a marriage for someone.
There's a merchant in Krondor with a homely daughter who he wants to marry off.
2To arrange a marriage for someone, especially a daughter.
They had daughters to marry off, businesses to sell, vacations they'd been waiting to take.
3To arrange a marriage for someone, especially in a strategic or financial sense.
They tried to marry their daughter off to a wealthy businessman.

Pay off

1Completely repay a debt.
The mortgage will be PAID OFF in twenty - five years.
2Produce a profitable or successful result.
Their patience PAID OFF when he finally showed up and signed the contract.

Usage Examples: marry off, pay off in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

marry off

Example

Her parents wanted to marry her off to a rich man.

Example

He marries off his daughters to wealthy families.

pay off

Example

I plan to pay off my student loans within five years.

Example

She pays off her credit card balance every month.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Marry off

settle down

To establish a stable and committed lifestyle, especially by getting married or starting a family.

Example

After years of traveling, he decided to settle down and start a family.

tie the knot

To get married or enter into a serious and committed relationship.

Example

They finally decided to tie the knot after being together for five years.

arrange a marriage

To find a suitable partner for someone and organize their wedding ceremony.

Example

In some cultures, parents still arrange marriages for their children.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pay off

settle a debt

To pay back money that is owed to someone.

Example

He finally settled his debt with the bank after months of struggling financially.

bribe someone

To give money or other incentives to someone in exchange for their cooperation or silence.

Example

The politician was accused of bribing officials to win the election.

achieve a goal

To succeed in reaching a desired outcome or objective.

Example

After years of hard work, she finally achieved her goal of becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “marry”

Phrasal Verbs with “pay”

Phrasal Verbs with “off”

Differences in marry off vs pay off: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: marry off or pay off?

In daily conversation, people use pay off more often than marry off. This is because pay off is used in various contexts such as business, finance, and personal life. Marry off is not used as much, and it's mainly used when we're talking about arranged marriages. So, while both phrases are used, pay off is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of marry off and pay off

Marry off and pay off 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 marry off and pay off

The tone of marry off and pay off can differ based on context. Marry off often carries a traditional or cultural tone when related to arranged marriages, while pay off typically has a practical and sometimes negative tone, especially when referring to settling debts or bribing someone.

marry off & pay off: Synonyms and Antonyms

Marry off

Synonyms

settle
arrange a marriage
matchmake
unite in marriage
join in matrimony

Antonyms

divorce
separate
annul
break up
dissolve marriage

Pay off

Synonyms

Antonyms