pay-off
Worth the wait
A pay-off is the return or reward from an effort or investment: The years of training finally had a pay-off.
It can also mean a bribe or hush money paid to secure silence or cooperation: The politician accepted a pay-off to look the other way.
In narrative, the pay-off is the satisfying resolution that earlier setup promised.
Also spelled payoff.
Illegal payment for services
- backhanderSecret illicit payment
- payolaBribes for airplay
- sweetenerAdditive reducing bitterness
- palm-greasingBribing with money
under-the-table · graft · inducement · covert · corrupt · fix · baksheesh · dash
Reward beyond expectation
- incentiveReward encouraging action
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- earningsMoney gained from work
- profitGain exceeding expenditure
gain · windfall · remuneration · commission · premium · bounty · recompense · perk
Highest or final point
- finaleConcluding part of performance
- denouementStory's final unraveling
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
twist · crescendo · showdown · epiphany · peak · apex · anticlimax · kicker
Final result of events
- consequenceResult of an action
- returnGo back again
- benefitAdvantage or gain
- dividendCorporate profit share
yield · fruit · reward · upshot · aftermath · effect · ramification · vindication
Payment for services rendered
- damagesCompensation for injury
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- indemnityProtection against financial loss
disbursement · lump-sum · structured · out-of-court · lawsuit · liability · claimant · negotiated
Accumulated gambling prize
- winningsMoney gained from betting
- oddsLikelihood expressed numerically
- stakesPosts or wagers
- bettingStaking money on outcomes
wager · slot-machine · lottery · progressive · high-roller · cash-out · house-edge
Without financial obligations
- mortgageSecured home loan
- loanBorrowed money repaid later
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- principalChief school administrator
installment · amortization · discharge · clear · refinance
kickback
Illegal payment for services
- backhanderSecret illicit payment
- payolaBribes for airplay
- sweetenerAdditive reducing bitterness
palm-greasing · under-the-table · graft · inducement · covert · corrupt · fix · baksheesh · dash
bonus
Reward beyond expectation
- incentiveReward encouraging action
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- earningsMoney gained from work
profit · gain · windfall · remuneration · commission · premium · bounty · recompense · perk · gratuity
culmination
Highest or final point
- finaleConcluding part of performance
- denouementStory's final unraveling
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
revelation · twist · crescendo · showdown · epiphany · peak · apex · anticlimax · kicker
outcome
Final result of events
- consequenceResult of an action
- returnGo back again
- benefitAdvantage or gain
dividend · yield · fruit · reward · upshot · aftermath · effect · ramification · vindication
compensation
Payment for services rendered
- damagesCompensation for injury
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- reparationCompensation for injury done
indemnity · disbursement · lump-sum · structured · out-of-court · lawsuit · liability · claimant · negotiated · malpractice
jackpot
Accumulated gambling prize
betting · wager · slot-machine · lottery · progressive · high-roller · cash-out · house-edge
debt-free
Without financial obligations
principal · installment · amortization · discharge · clear · refinance
pay-offsetup
How something is arranged
premise · groundwork · lead-in · exposition · preamble