pay out

verb

1. to distribute (money); disburse

2. (tr) to release (a rope) gradually, hand over hand

3. (tr) to retaliate against

noun

1. a sum of money paid out

Idioms and Phrases

Distribute money, disburse, as in He paid out the full amount . [Mid-1800s]

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

“That it would all pay out in the end.”

From Los Angeles Times

The SSA must now pay out more in benefits than expected, contrary to DOGE’s cost-saving mission.

From Salon

She said uniforms should be worn, but added: "Parents should be protected from the expense that we have to pay out every year, especially when we've still got to get school shoes."

From BBC

However, the insurance company Beazley Group refused to pay out to business owners like Ms Russel, claiming the business interruption policies were not designed to cover a national lockdown.

From BBC

The Supreme Court ultimately declined to hear the company’s appeal, while a lower court eventually ordered Cal Fire to pay out $15 million for fraud and withholding evidence.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• administer 
• allot 
• apportion 
• assign 
• circulate 
• disburse 
• dispense 
• disseminate 
• donate 
• give 
• give away 
• hand out 
• issue 
• present 
• scatter 
• share