- 偿清(债务等)；付清(工资)：
He paid off the debt of his friend with the money raised by his writings.
他用稿费的收入偿清了朋友的债务。
- 发清工资解雇：
It is expected that another twenty will be paid off before long.
另外的20人估计将在不久被资遣。
- 惩罚；(对…进行)报复：
Walter will be paid off for his negligence.
华尔特将因他的失职而受到处罚。
- 有报偿；赚回；得到好处；收到效果：
It has been rather costly to install the machinery, but it should pay off in the long run.
安装这套机械代价很高，但从长远来看它会赚钱的。
- (为免遭威胁)付钱(给敲诈者)；收买(某人)：
The blackmailer had to be paid off. He was too dangerous.
只得向那个敲诈勒索者付钱了，他太危险了。
- [口语]得到预料的结果；获得成功：
Did your daring plan pay off?
你那大胆的计划收到效果没有?
- 使(船)转向下风：
The captain paid his vessel off before the wind.
船长把船转向顺风。
The little vessel paid off from the wind.
小船逆风而行。
- 放松或放出(缆索、绳子等)：
The rope should be paid off.
应该把绳子放松。