# pay off old scores

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/pay-off-old-scores
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To settle old grudges by taking revenge.

## Examples

- He wants to pay off old scores with his rival.
- After winning the election, the politician used his new power to pay off old scores against his former critics.
- The protagonist returned to his hometown not for reconciliation, but to systematically pay off old scores against those who had betrayed him years ago.

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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.