# pay dividends

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/pay-dividends
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To bring about something good as a result of past effort or actions.

## Examples

- Studying hard every day will pay dividends later.
- Investing time in learning a new language now will pay dividends when you travel abroad next year.
- The company's decision to prioritize sustainable manufacturing practices eventually paid dividends by attracting a new generation of environmentally conscious consumers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.