pay

/peɪ/4 phrasal verbs

The plain verb means to give money for something.

Pay off has a literal sense (clear a debt) and a figurative one (an effort produces a reward). Pay back is to return money — or to take revenge.

PAY ends in a diphthong, so a Y glide appears: pay off is “pay-yoff”.

Side by side

Every PAY phrasal verb, with the one line that keeps it apart from its siblings. Tap any one to open it.

Phrasal verb	Means	How to remember it
pay offSeparable2 meanings	clear a debt completely; produce a reward	OFF = the debt is removed.
pay backSeparable2 meanings	return money you borrowed; take revenge	BACK = it returns to them.
pay forInseparable2 meanings	give money in exchange; suffer consequences	FOR names what you are buying — or paying for.
pay upNo object	pay money you owe, reluctantly	UP = pay in full, now.

Phrasal verbs with PAY — what each one means