pay back
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle back
Meanings
Return money that was borrowed
Why “back”? The action returns to the person who did it first.
“I'll pay you back next week.”
“She paid back the loan early.”
Take revenge on someone for something they did
“He paid them back for the prank.”
“They paid back the rival team.”
“I'll pay him back for what he did.”
Don't confuse with
Pay back means return money that was borrowed. Pay off means be successful or worthwhile in the end.
Test yourself
“I'll pay you back next week.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
pay off
A contrast learners often mix up
Be successful or worthwhile in the end
answer back
Same back pattern: returning action
Reply in a defiant manner
call back
Same back pattern: returning action
Return a phone call; Try the phone call again; Recall a product because of a fault
fight back
Same back pattern: returning action
Defend yourself against an attack; Try to suppress a feeling like tears or anger
get back
Same back pattern: returning action
Return to a place; Reply to someone, often with information they asked for; Take revenge on someone; Receive something again that you had before
give back
Same back pattern: returning action
Return something to its owner; Make a contribution in return to a community or cause
hit back
Same back pattern: returning action
Retaliate
kick back
Same back pattern: returning action
Kick in response to an attack
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