student asking question

What does "pay (someone) back" mean?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

The expression "to pay someone back" can be used in a positive or negative way. For example, it can refer to the repaying of debts or things owed. Ex: Can you lend me ten bucks? I'll pay you back next week! Ex: I still have to pay back my friend for dinner. It can also be used in the negative sense to refer to seeking revenge or retribution, like in this video. The teacher is saying that she will seek revenge for the student's "mistake." Ex: I paid back my childhood bullies by becoming more successful and handsome than them. Ex: The teacher paid back the student for cheating on the exam by failing her.

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