Differences between buy off and pay off

Buy off means to bribe someone, usually with money or gifts, to do something illegal or unethical. Pay off means to give someone money that is owed to them, or to achieve a positive result after a period of effort or difficulty.

Meanings and Definitions: buy off vs pay off

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Buy off

1Pay someone to stop them causing trouble.
He BOUGHT the newspaper OFF by placing a lot of adverts.

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: buy off, pay off in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

buy off

Example

The politician tried to buy off the journalist to prevent the scandal from being exposed.

Example

He buys off the security guard to gain access to the restricted area.

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 Buy off

bribe

To give someone money or gifts to influence their behavior or decision-making, especially in an illegal or unethical way.

Example

The politician was accused of bribing the judge to get a favorable verdict.

grease someone's palm

To bribe someone with money or gifts to get them to do something illegal or unethical.

Example

The businessman tried to grease the inspector's palm to overlook the safety violations in his factory.

pay hush money

To pay someone to keep quiet about something embarrassing or incriminating.

Example

The celebrity had to pay hush money to prevent the media from publishing compromising photos of him.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pay off

settle a debt

To pay back money that is owed to someone.

Example

He finally settled his debt with the bank after years of struggling to pay off his loans.

reap the rewards

To enjoy the benefits or positive outcomes of one's efforts or investments.

Example

Her hard work and dedication finally paid off, and she was able to reap the rewards of her success.

make good on

To fulfill a promise or obligation, especially by paying back money that is owed.

Example

He promised to pay back the loan, and he finally made good on his word after months of saving money.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “buy”

Phrasal Verbs with “pay”

Phrasal Verbs with “off”

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

Frequency in Daily Use: buy off or pay off?

In everyday conversation, people use pay off more often than buy off. This is because pay off is used in various contexts, such as paying debts, achieving success, or getting a positive outcome. Buy off, on the other hand, is used less frequently and usually in negative contexts related to corruption or illegal activities.

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

Pay off and buy off are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, buy off is considered more informal and even slangy due to its negative connotation.

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

The tone of buy off is usually negative, implying corruption or dishonesty. In contrast, the tone of pay off can be positive or neutral, depending on the context. For example, if someone says, 'My hard work finally paid off,' it implies a positive outcome.

buy off & pay off: Synonyms and Antonyms

Buy off

Synonyms

Antonyms

Pay off

Synonyms

Antonyms