"Pay off" is a phrasal verb that can have several different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Here is a comprehensive dictionary definition of "pay off":
1. To settle a debt or financial obligation by giving the required amount of money; to repay a loan or borrowed funds.
Example: He worked hard for years to pay off his student loans.
2. To provide compensation, reward, or bribe to someone in exchange for a favor, services rendered, or cooperation.
Example: The company paid off the officials to secure the contract.
3. To achieve a desirable result or outcome, especially after a long and challenging effort; to make one's efforts or investments worthwhile.
Example: All her hard work eventually paid off when she got promoted.
4. To eliminate or reduce something negative or undesirable, such as a debt, a risk, or an accusation.
Example: By selling his car, he managed to pay off his credit card debt.
5. To receive a large sum of money, often unexpectedly or as a result of a successful venture or investment.
Example: Their investment in the stock market paid off when the company's shares skyrocketed in value.
Overall, "pay off" encompasses the ideas of settling debts, rewarding or bribing others, achieving favorable outcomes, eliminating negatives, and receiving substantial financial gains. The meaning may vary depending on the specific context in which it is used.
