Phrasal Verbs
(of a plan or an action, especially one that involves risk) to be successful and bring good results The gamble paid off.
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- 1to pay someone what they have earned and tell them to leave their job The crew were paid off as soon as the ship docked.
- 2(informal) to give someone money to prevent them from doing something or talking about something illegal or dishonest that you have done All the witnesses had been paid off. related noun payoff
to finish paying money owed for something We paid off our mortgage after fifteen years.