payoff
pronunciation
How to pronounce payoff in British English:
UK ['peɪɔ:f]
How to pronounce payoff in American English:
US [ˈpeˌɔf, -ˌɑf]
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- Noun:
- the final payment of a debt
- payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment
- the income arising from land or other property
- a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
Word Origin
- payoff (n.)
- also pay-off, 1905, "winnings from gambling," from pay (v.) + off. Meaning "graft, bribes" first attested 1930. Phrase to pay off "be profitable" is first recorded 1937.
Example
- 1. Here 's another way to look at jpmorgan 's outsize fine : perhaps it was a payoff .
- 2. The payoff would be handsome for both countries .
- 3. The payoff for such budget cutting was a string of budget surpluses .
- 4. Furthermore , costly punishment did not increase the average payoff of the group .
- 5. That investment is substantial , but the payoff is greater .