What does the phrasal verb “pay down” mean?

What are the definitions of “pay down”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Pay a debt over time.

  The British government can't PAY DOWN the national debt.

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

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb pay down is to gradually reduce a debt by making regular payments over time. This can refer to paying off loans, credit card balances, or other types of debt.

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

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

Example

I need to pay down my student loans before I can buy a house.

Example

She pays down her credit card balance every month.

Example

He is paying down his mortgage faster by making extra payments.

Example

Last year, they paid down a significant portion of their debt.

Example

The company has paid down its debt and is now in a better financial position.

What kind of phrasal verb is “pay down”?

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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 down” 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 down my credit card balance.

Example

She paid her debt down over five years.

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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 down” 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 down my credit card balance.

Example

She paid her debt down over five years.

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

Pay down principle

Making extra payments on a loan to reduce the principal balance, which can save money on interest and help pay off the loan faster.

Example

By paying down the principal on her mortgage, she was able to save thousands of dollars in interest.

Pay down debt

The process of reducing debt by making regular payments, often with the goal of becoming debt-free.

Example

He focused on paying down his debt before investing in other financial goals.

Pay down a loan

To make payments on a loan with the intention of reducing the balance and eventually paying it off.

Example

She paid down her car loan ahead of schedule, which helped improve her credit score.

Good things to know

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

Pay down is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal settings, such as financial discussions or written documents.

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

Synonyms

• reduce
• decrease
• lower
• diminish
• lessen
• repay
• settle
• pay off

Antonyms for {keyword}

• increase
• raise
• grow
• accumulate
• borrow
• owe
• incur