discharge the debt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discharge the debt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in financial contexts when referring to the act of paying off or settling a debt. Example: "After years of hard work, she was finally able to discharge the debt and regain her financial freedom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Alternatively, he would be fine with much lower rates while continuing to make it very hard to discharge the debt.

The New York Times

Advocates for these Iraqis have been disappointed again and again by the Administration's unwillingness to discharge the debt we owe them.

The New Yorker

Miltiades, who defeated the Persians in the Battle of Marathon (490), died in disgrace the next year, unable to pay a large fine imposed on him for allegedly misconducting a subsequent operation; but Cimon, after arranging the marriage of his sister to the richest man in Athens, was able to discharge the debt.

Britannica

It is also possible to secure a lien against the debtor's property, which will permit a local official or law-enforcement officer to seize the property, sell it at public auction, and use the proceeds to discharge the debt (see liquidation).

Encyclopedia Britannica

When you... meet with another … in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able.

Huffington Post

The couple, who have five children, were able to discharge the debt completely because they qualified for Chapter 7 protection under a calculation that takes into consideration income and household size.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Sallie Mae can live with a change, so long as there's a waiting period before anyone can try to discharge the debts.

The New York Times

If you do so with the intent to file, a creditor can challenge the discharge of the debt owed or even your right to discharge any debt.

WikiHow

It did not amount to a discharge of the debt unless the property ceded was sufficient for the purpose, but it secured the debtor from personal arrest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That led her and other women to connect with the New York Legal Assistance Group, which has sent letters to the United States Department of Education on their behalf, requesting refunds, restoration of credit and immediate discharge of the debt.

The New York Times

Bankruptcy can deal with student loans in many ways, including a full discharge of the debt owed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial matters, using "discharge the debt" provides a clear and concise way to communicate the completion of debt repayment. Ensure the context clarifies which specific debt is being referenced.

Common error

Avoid using "discharge the debt" when only a portion of the debt has been paid. This phrase implies complete settlement, not partial progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discharge the debt" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of eliminating or settling a financial obligation. The phrase is about the fulfillment of financial duties, as demonstrated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discharge the debt" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood expression signifying the complete settlement or legal elimination of a debt. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, primarily within news, academic, and encyclopedia contexts. Alternative phrases like "settle the debt" or "pay off the debt" can be used interchangeably. When using this phrase, clarity about the specific debt is essential to avoid misinterpretations, and it's important to ensure that the debt has been fully settled, not just partially paid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

settle the debt

Focuses on the act of resolving or concluding the debt.

pay off the debt

Emphasizes the action of fully paying the amount owed.

clear the debt

Highlights the removal or elimination of the debt.

eliminate the debt

Focuses on the removal of the debt entirely.

extinguish the debt

A more formal way of saying the debt is completely ended.

liquidate the debt

Focuses on converting assets into cash to cover the debt.

satisfy the debt

Indicates meeting the obligations of the debt.

honor the debt

Suggests fulfilling the debt obligation with integrity.

service the debt

Emphasizes making regular payments toward the debt.

cancel the debt

Highlights the debt being forgiven or nullified.

FAQs

What does it mean to "discharge the debt" in legal terms?

In legal contexts, to "discharge the debt" means to legally eliminate the obligation to repay a debt, often through bankruptcy or other legal processes.

Are there alternatives to saying "discharge the debt"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "settle the debt", "pay off the debt", or "eliminate the debt" depending on the context.

Can student loans be discharged?

While it is more difficult, student loans can sometimes be discharged through bankruptcy if you can prove undue hardship. However, it's not a guaranteed outcome.

What happens after a debt is discharged?

After a debt is discharged, the creditor can no longer attempt to collect the debt from you. However, the discharge may affect your credit score.