pay out
Britishverb
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to distribute (money); disburse
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(tr) to release (a rope) gradually, hand over hand
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(tr) to retaliate against
noun
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Distribute money, disburse, as in He paid out the full amount . [Mid-1800s]
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Let out a rope by slackening, as in She paid out the rope until it was long enough to tie the canoe onto the car . This nautical expression dates from the late 1700s.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
World Aquatics does pay out rewards to record-breaking athletes, but because the China Open was not organised by the governing body, no bonuses were sanctioned.
From BBC
The 56-year-old, who is self-employed and pays out of her own pocket because her health insurance does not cover weight-loss drugs, says the financial sacrifices have been worth it.
From BBC
For retirement portfolios that grow over 30 or 40 years, then pay out for another 20 or 30, some private credit seems sensible.
From Barron's
It is currently only available for creators in the US and Canada, and will pay out for a maximum of three months.
From BBC
Building a following is challenging, but the pay out can be rewarding.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
