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Phrasal verbs "pay back" vs "pay off"

Differences between pay back and pay off

Pay back means to return money that you have borrowed, while pay off means to pay the full amount of a debt or to receive a reward for your efforts.

Meanings and Definitions: pay back vs pay off

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Pay back

  • 1Repay money borrowed.

    I PAID BACK the twenty pounds I'd borrowed.

  • 2Take revenge on.

    I'm going to PAY him BACK for that insult.

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: pay back, pay off in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

pay back

Example

I will pay back the money I borrowed from you.

Example

She pays back her student loans every month.

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 Pay back

return the money

To give back the money that you have borrowed from someone.

Example

I need to return the money I borrowed from my friend last week.

reimburse

To repay someone for expenses they have incurred on your behalf.

Example

The company will reimburse me for the travel expenses I incurred during the business trip.

settle up

To pay what you owe, especially after a period of time.

Example

We need to settle up before we leave the restaurant.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pay off

clear the debt

To pay the full amount of a debt owed.

Example

I finally managed to clear the debt on my credit card.

be worth it

To have a positive outcome or result that justifies the effort or cost.

Example

All the hard work and long hours paid off when we won the championship.

cash in on

To receive a profit or benefit from an investment or opportunity.

Example

He cashed in on his stocks when the market was high and made a significant profit.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “pay”

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

Frequency in Daily Use: pay back or pay off?

Both pay back and pay off are commonly used in daily conversation, but pay back is more frequently used as it refers to a common activity of returning borrowed money. Pay off is less common but still used regularly in financial contexts.

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

Pay back and pay off are both informal phrases, but pay off is slightly more formal as it is often used in financial contexts such as loans, mortgages, and investments.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of pay back and pay off

The tone of pay back is usually neutral or positive, as it refers to fulfilling a responsibility or obligation. On the other hand, pay off can have a positive or negative tone depending on the context. It can be positive when referring to receiving a reward for hard work or investment, or negative when referring to the high cost of paying off a debt.

pay back & pay off: Synonyms and Antonyms

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