What does the phrasal verb “pay back” mean?

What are the definitions of “pay back”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Repay money borrowed.

  I PAID BACK the twenty pounds I'd borrowed.

• 2. Take revenge on.

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

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “pay back”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb pay back is to return money that was borrowed from someone. It means to repay a debt or a loan. For example, when you borrow money from a friend, you pay them back when you return the money.

What are the different verb forms of “pay back”?

Root Verb	pay back
Third Person Singular Present	pays back
Present Participle	paying back
Simple Past	paid back
Past Participle	paid back

Example

I will pay back the money I borrowed from you.

Example

She pays back her student loans every month.

Example

He is paying back the loan he took out for his car.

Example

They paid back their debt last year.

Example

The money has been paid back in full.

What kind of phrasal verb is “pay back”?

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb?
- A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.)
- An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Transitive verb

“pay back” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.

Example

I paid back the money I borrowed from my friend.

Example

She paid her friend back for the concert tickets.

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb?
- A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle.
- An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“pay back” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

I paid back the money I borrowed from my friend.

Example

She paid her friend back for the concert tickets.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “pay back”?

Pay someone back in kind

To return a favor or treat someone the same way they treated you.

Example

When she helped me with my project, I paid her back in kind by helping her with hers.

Payback period

The time it takes for an investment to generate an amount of money equal to the initial cost of the investment.

Example

The payback period for this solar panel system is about five years.

Payback time

A moment when someone gets revenge or retaliation for something.

Example

After he played a prank on me, I knew it was payback time.

Good things to know

Does “pay back” have an informal or formal tone?

Pay back is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal situations. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal settings, such as business and finance.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “pay back”?

Synonyms

• repay
• reimburse
• return
• refund
• compensate
• avenge
• retaliate
• revenge

Antonyms for {keyword}

• borrow
• lend
• owe
• take
• accept
• forgive
• ignore
• overlook