What are the definitions of “pay off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 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.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “pay off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb pay off is to completely repay a debt, such as a loan or a mortgage. It means that you have finished paying all the money you owe to someone or a financial institution.
What are the different verb forms of “pay off”?
| Root Verb | pay off |
| Third Person Singular Present | pays off |
| Present Participle | paying off |
| Simple Past | paid off |
| Past Participle | paid off |
Example
I plan to pay off my student loans within five years.
Example
She pays off her credit card balance every month.
Example
He is paying off his car loan by making extra payments.
Example
They paid off their mortgage early and saved a lot of money.
Example
The debt has been paid off, and they are now debt-free.
What kind of phrasal verb is “pay off”?
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 off” 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
She paid off her student loans.
Example
He paid the mortgage off early.
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 off” 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
She paid off her student loans.
Example
He paid the mortgage off early.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “pay off”?
Good things to know
Does “pay off” have an informal or formal tone?
Pay off 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 business negotiations.
