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pay back

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌpeɪ ˈbæk/

pay back means: To return money that you borrowed, or give someone all the money you owe them.

verb

RETURN BORROWED MONEYA2

To return money that you borrowed, or give someone all the money you owe them.

  • I will pay you back soon.
  • She paid back the money she borrowed.
  • Have you paid your brother back yet?

How to use it: pay someone back (I will pay you back tomorrow.); pay back something / pay something back (She paid the loan back in full.)

Similar words: repay, reimburse

Common phrases: pay back a loan, pay back someone

TAKE REVENGEB2

To hurt or punish someone because they hurt you or treated you badly.

  • I will pay him back for that lie.
  • She paid them back by revealing their secret.
  • He planned to pay his rival back for humiliating him.

How to use it: pay someone back for something (He wanted to pay her back for the insult.)

Similar words: get back at, take revenge on

Opposites: forgive

Common phrases: pay back someone, pay back an enemy

Questions about pay back

What does pay back mean?

To return money that you borrowed, or give someone all the money you owe them.

What is pay back in other languages?

Türkçe: geri ödemek · Español: devolver · Français: rembourser · Deutsch: zurückzahlen · Italiano: restituire · 日本語: 返す

How do you pronounce pay back?

It is pronounced /ˌpeɪ ˈbæk/.

How do you use pay back in a sentence?

I will pay you back soon. She paid back the money she borrowed.

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