transitive verb
1.
a. : to give (an employee) all due wages ; especially : to pay in full and discharge (a crew of hands or workmen)
b. : to pay (a debt or a creditor) in full
expects to pay all his debts off shortly
c. : bribe
2. : to inflict retribution on : get back at : settle a grudge with
wanted to pay him off for stealing his girl
3. : to turn the head of (a ship) to leeward
4. : to allow (a thread, rope) to run off a spool or drum : unwind
intransitive verb
1. of a ship : to swing to leeward
2.
a. : to yield returns either of profit or loss
the investment paid off handsomely
b. : to reach successful realization
the years of patience and persistence had at last paid off
boldness is the only course that will pay off — E.B.George