The phrasal verb "pay off" is predominantly used in informal contexts but can also be seen in formal speech and writing when discussing the concept of successful or beneficial results. It commonly appears in conversational settings to describe outcomes that justify prior effort or investment, such as in sentences like "All that hard work finally paid off." In addition to indicating success, "pay off" can also refer to settling debts, for example, "I'll pay off my loan next month," a usage found in both everyday and financial contexts. The flexibility of "pay off" in describing both positive results and financial transactions contributes to its wide applicability across various scenarios.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To give someone all the money that you owe them.
She finally managed to pay off her student loans.
After years of hard work, they paid off their mortgage.
2. To produce a successful or beneficial result.
Years of practice finally paid off when he won the championship.
Her diligence and dedication paid off with a promotion.