paid off

USAGE SUMMARY

"paid off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe a debt or loan that has been cleared by making payments. For example, "After months of making payments, he finally paid off his car loan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our patience paid off".

Independent

His persistence paid off.

The New York Times - Sports

But it paid off.

The New York Times

It has paid off.

Forbes

The suggestion paid off.

The New York Times - Arts

Padura's gamble paid off.

The New Yorker

The stalking paid off.

The New York Times

Her work paid off.

The New York Times

Sometimes, it paid off.

The New York Times

Their efforts paid off.

The New York Times - Tech

It paid off".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paid off" to clearly indicate that an action or investment led to a successful or beneficial outcome. For instance, "The long hours of studying finally "paid off" when she aced the exam."

Common error

Avoid using "paid off" when referring to immediate results. It's best suited for situations where there was an initial investment of time, resources, or effort that yielded a later positive outcome. If the results are immediate, consider using "succeeded" or "worked."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "paid off" functions as a predicate, asserting that something (an effort, investment, or strategy) has yielded a successful or beneficial result. Ludwig AI examples show it is used to describe positive outcomes achieved through perseverance, smart choices, or strategic actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "paid off" signifies that previous efforts, investments, or risks have led to a positive or successful outcome. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in a wide range of writing contexts, from news and business to informal conversations. While the expression can be found across registers, it is more frequent in news and media sources. When using "paid off", ensure that there's a clear connection between the initial investment and the resulting benefit. Remember that "paid off" is best used when the results aren't immediate; if the results are immediate, consider another phrase like "succeeded" or "worked".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proved worthwhile

Highlights the value and justification of an investment or effort, suggesting it was a good decision.

achieved success

Indicates the accomplishment of a desired outcome or goal, emphasizing the positive result.

yielded results

Focuses on the measurable outcome or product of an effort, emphasizing concrete gains.

brought benefits

Focuses on the advantages and positive effects resulting from a particular action or investment.

reaped rewards

Focuses on the benefits and advantages gained as a consequence of effort or investment.

bore fruit

Implies a natural and gradual development of positive results, often associated with long-term efforts.

returned dividends

Highlights the financial or tangible benefits gained from an investment or action.

came to fruition

Emphasizes the completion and realization of a plan or goal, suggesting a successful culmination.

provided an advantage

Emphasizes the competitive edge or favorable position gained as a result of a specific effort.

delivered the goods

Informal expression meaning that something has been provided or achieved as expected or promised.

FAQs

How is "paid off" typically used in a sentence?

"Paid off" is usually used to indicate that an effort, investment, or risk has resulted in a positive outcome. For example, "Her hard work "paid off" when she got the promotion".

What are some alternatives to using "paid off"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "yielded results", "proved worthwhile", or "reaped rewards".

Is it correct to say "payed off" instead of "paid off"?

No, the correct form is "paid off". "Payed" is an archaic form of "paid" and is not typically used in modern English. Stick to ""paid off"" for clarity and correctness.

What's the difference between "paid off" and "repaid"?

"Paid off" typically refers to a positive outcome resulting from effort or investment, while "repaid" refers specifically to the act of returning money or settling a debt. While a debt can be ""paid off"", the phrase doesn't apply to achieving a goal through effort.