pay off
Yield eventual results
To pay off is to discharge a debt completely: We finally paid off the mortgage.
It also means to yield results or rewards: All that practice paid off when she won the tournament.
A payoff is the final payment, a bribe, or the climactic outcome of something: The movie's payoff wasn't worth the slow buildup.
Meriting effort or attention
- fruitfulProducing abundant results
- rewardingProviding satisfaction or benefit
- profitableProducing financial benefit
- vindicationClearance of blame
breakthrough · fruition · dividend · yield · return · benefit · gain · achievement
Illegal payment for services
- payolaBribes for airplay
- backhanderSecret illicit payment
- sweetenerAdditive reducing bitterness
- baksheeshGratuity or small bribe
grease · under-the-table · inducement · fix · palm-greasing
Secured home loan
- loanBorrowed money repaid later
- installmentPeriodic partial payment
- principalChief school administrator
- interestAttention, stake, or fee
amortization · creditor · balance · arrears · dues · refinance · consolidation · paydown
Profits from investments
- dividendsProfits paid to shareholders
- portfolioCollected works or assets
- appreciationRecognition of worth
- yieldProduce or relinquish
Payment for services rendered
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- severanceTermination pay or disconnection
- payoutMoney distributed to recipient
- disbursementDistribution of funds
buyout · lump-sum · damages · indemnity · reparation · agreement · resolution · closure
worthwhile
Meriting effort or attention
- fruitfulProducing abundant results
- rewardingProviding satisfaction or benefit
- profitableProducing financial benefit
vindication · breakthrough · fruition · dividend · yield · return · benefit · gain · achievement · result
kickback
Illegal payment for services
- payolaBribes for airplay
- backhanderSecret illicit payment
- sweetenerAdditive reducing bitterness
baksheesh · grease · under-the-table · inducement · fix · palm-greasing
mortgage
Secured home loan
- loanBorrowed money repaid later
- installmentPeriodic partial payment
- principalChief school administrator
interest · amortization · creditor · balance · arrears · dues · refinance · consolidation · paydown · lump-sum
returns
Profits from investments
- dividendsProfits paid to shareholders
- portfolioCollected works or assets
- appreciationRecognition of worth
yield · profit · equity · retirement · maturity · windfall · payout
compensation
Payment for services rendered
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- severanceTermination pay or disconnection
- payoutMoney distributed to recipient
disbursement · buyout · lump-sum · damages · indemnity · reparation · agreement · resolution · closure · finalization
pay offbackfire
Yield unintended consequences
fail · fall flat · flop · blow up in one's face · come to nothing