Definition of "pay-off" [pay-off]

• A payment. (noun)
• A reward. (noun)
• A bribe. (noun)

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• "Self-education without regard to some form of pay-off is purely an intellectual pursuit."
• "He thinks that people go against their better judgment and knowledge because the pay-off is better in the short run."
• "We incorporate lags to acknowledge the fact that money spent today may take years to have a pay-off — students for example, take four, five or even six years to get through school."