payoff
the payment of a salary, debt, wager, etc.
the time at which such payment is made.
the consequence, outcome, or final sequence in a series of events, actions, or circumstances: The payoff was when they fired him.
Informal. the climax of something, especially a story or joke.
a settlement or reckoning, as in retribution or reward.
Informal. a bribe.
yielding results, especially rewarding or decisive results: The payoff play was the long pass into the end zone.
to pay (someone) everything that is due that person, especially to do so and discharge from one's employ.
to pay (a debt) in full.
Informal. to bribe.
to retaliate upon or punish; pay back.
to result in success or failure: The risk paid off handsomely.
Nautical. to fall off to leeward.
Origin of payoff
1Other words for payoff
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use payoff in a sentence
Some would call him stubborn for holding out on payoffs from the oil companies.
Abdullah responded in part with over a $100 billion in payoffs to the Saudi people to ensure stability at home.
Breaking away from Likud is a huge gamble for him, one which he knows might not provide any payoffs.
Here, a guide to gauging the risks and payoffs of kill-or-capture operations.
[E]ven a slight edge in ability can translate into enormous payoffs.
Dr. Greenwald asked her to think of the benefits, the payoffs, that came to her as a result of her crazy behavior.
When You Don't Know Where to Turn | Steven J. BartlettCan you give up any real payoffs of being emotionally troubled?
When You Don't Know Where to Turn | Steven J. BartlettBut, in essence, they all boil down to the fact that the program is expected to produce a number of highly valuable payoffs.
The Practical Values of Space Exploration | Committee on Science and Astronautics
British Dictionary definitions for pay off
(tr, adverb) to pay all that is due in wages, etc, and discharge from employment
(tr, adverb) to pay the complete amount of (a debt, bill, etc)
(intr, adverb) to turn out to be profitable, effective, etc: the gamble paid off
(tr, adverb or intr, preposition) to take revenge on (a person) or for (a wrong done): to pay someone off for an insult
(tr, adverb) informal to give a bribe to
(intr, adverb) nautical (of a vessel) to make leeway
the final settlement, esp in retribution: the payoff came when the gang besieged the squealer's house
informal the climax, consequence, or outcome of events, a story, etc, esp when unexpected or improbable
the final payment of a debt, salary, etc
the time of such a payment
informal a bribe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with payoff
Pay the full amount on a debt or on wages, as in The car's finally paid off, or Les pays off the workers every Friday evening. [Early 1700s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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