# pay off

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pay-off
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to result in success after you have worked hard or taken a risk. You use this when your effort finally brings a good result.

For teachers: To yield a successful result or benefit, typically following a period of risk or exertion. In this sense, the verb is intransitive; however, it functions transitively when referring to the full discharge of a financial obligation.

## Examples

- All those hours of study finally paid off when he passed the exam.
- Although the training was difficult, it really paid off when she was promoted to manager last month.
- The company's aggressive expansion into emerging markets has begun to pay off, as evidenced by the recent surge in quarterly dividends.

## Pitfalls

- Not "His hard work finally paid off him." but "His hard work finally paid off." — In the sense of achieving success, 'pay off' is intransitive and cannot take a person as a direct object.

## Usage notes

- When used to mean 'be successful,' this phrase is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
- Teaching tip: Contrast the intransitive 'success' sense with the transitive 'debt' sense to help students avoid using a direct object when describing a successful outcome.

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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.