Payoff Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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payoff

[ˈpeɪɒf ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

financial

The amount of money that is owed to someone for work they have done or for some other debt

Synonyms

compensation, payment, settlement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
payoff	The word can also mean settling debts or paying off a creditor. It can have a slightly negative connotation if it refers to a bribe. He managed the complete payoff of his student loans within five years The bribery scandal involved a significant payoff to the officials
payment	This is a general term for an amount of money that is given in exchange for something or as part of a transaction. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. She made the payment for her online purchase using a credit card Monthly mortgage payments can be quite high
compensation	This word is appropriate when discussing money given to someone to make up for a loss, suffering, or injury, or as payment for work or services. The company provided compensation for the damages caused by the faulty product He received compensation for the extra hours he worked
settlement	This term is typically used in legal, formal, or financial contexts, particularly when referring to the resolution of a dispute or a formal agreement involving payment. The lawsuit was resolved with a financial settlement They reached a settlement out of court to avoid further legal expenses

Examples of usage

He received a huge payoff for his hard work.
The company offered a generous payoff to its employees.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

crime

A bribe or other inducement paid to someone, especially an illegal one

Synonyms

bribe, hush money, kickback.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
payoff	This repetition likely means the same as the initial mention, indicating any form of reward or settlement, and can fit a variety of both legal and illegal situations. There was a big payoff for all the hard work the team put in. They arranged for a quiet payoff to resolve the dispute.
bribe	Used specifically to describe an illegal payment meant to influence someone's actions or decisions. This word usually has a negative connotation. The politician was caught accepting a bribe to pass the bill. She refused to give a bribe to secure the contract.
kickback	This term usually describes a form of bribery where a percentage of an awarded contract or profit is illegally paid to someone as a reward. It has a negative connotation. The official was arrested for accepting kickbacks from contractors. She discovered that her business partner had been taking kickbacks.
hush money	Refers to money paid to keep someone silent about a sensitive or incriminating matter. This term is typically negative and implies a cover-up. He was given hush money to prevent him from leaking the scandal. The actor paid hush money to stop the media from revealing his secret.

Examples of usage

The corrupt official demanded a payoff to look the other way.
The criminal gang arranged a payoff to avoid prosecution.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

informal

To produce a successful result; to be successful

Synonyms

bring results, succeed, work out.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
payoff	Used when there is a literal or figurative return on investment, often implying a reward or profit. It can also be used in a negative way to refer to bribery or a corrupt payment. The payoff for their hard work was a successful launch. The scandal involved a payoff to silence the witnesses.
succeed	Used to describe achieving a goal or reaching a desired outcome. It is a general term that applies to any successful accomplishment. She worked hard to succeed in her career. Their efforts will succeed if they remain focused.
work out	Used informally to describe a situation where things turn out well or as planned. It often implies a positive resolution or achieving an intended result. Don’t worry, everything will work out in the end. They faced many challenges, but it all worked out.
bring results	Used to describe a situation where efforts lead to noticeable outcomes or achievements. Often neutral and focused on the cause-and-effect relationship. The new marketing strategy will bring results in a couple of months. Changing the team's structure quickly brought results.

Examples of usage

The risky investment eventually paid off.
All the hard work paid off in the end.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

The idea of payoff is central to motivation theories, where the perceived reward influences behavior.
Individuals often weigh perceived payoffs against the effort required, which can impact decision-making.
Understanding the concept of delayed gratification—the ability to wait for a more significant payoff—can enhance self-control.

Business

In finance, a payoff can refer to the return on an investment compared to the initial cost.
Businesses analyze potential payoffs to make strategic decisions about projects and resource allocation.
Risk assessment often involves calculating possible payoffs from different investment scenarios.

Pop Culture

In movies, characters often face moral dilemmas weighing immediate payoffs against long-term consequences, adding drama and tension.
Video games frequently reward players with payoffs for completing quests or challenges, enhancing engagement.
Songs about achieving dreams often highlight the payoff of dedication and hard work, resonating with listeners.

Origin of 'payoff'

Main points about word origin

The term comes from the concept of paying someone after they have completed a task or obligation.
It first appeared in English around the 19th century and originally referred to settling debts.
Over time, the meaning expanded to include the outcomes or results of efforts in various contexts.

The word 'payoff' originated in the late 19th century in the context of financial transactions, referring to the final payment of a debt or salary. Over time, its usage expanded to include the concept of receiving a reward or benefit for one's actions. In the realm of crime, 'payoff' took on a negative connotation, denoting illicit payments or bribes. The verb form 'pay off' emerged as a colloquial expression to signify achieving a successful outcome or result. Today, 'payoff' is commonly used in various contexts to denote both financial settlements and positive outcomes.