pay him off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pay him off' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you have given someone money in exchange for something or as a reward to stop them from doing something. For example: "The town offered to pay the miners off to prevent them from going on strike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"So you wanna pay him off?" "Yeah," Michael said.

The New Yorker

"He claimed to play golf with the judge in my father's case, and that he would pay him off".

The New York Times

Gumbo had tried to pay him off by getting a big sum all at once.

The New Yorker

We divorced soon after, and I had to pay him off, but by then I'd inherited a bit of money from my family.

The Guardian

"We just decided for nuisance value that we would pay him off and make him go away and deprive him of his sort of oxygen," Mr. Blumenthal said.

The New York Times

It also meant that he did not have to take the risk that the managers would not be able to run the business well enough to pay him off over time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Wisely, MI5 paid him off, wiped his legal slate clean and waved farewell.

The New York Times - Books

Bolt added: "The rumour I'm trying to start right now is that Justin Gatlin paid him off".

The Guardian - Sport

"In effect, what we've done is paid Sam Allardyce's contract up because we sacked him, Steve Kean walked out, we've then had Berg in on a three-year contract and paid him off after 10 games.

Independent

JP Morgan paid him off for the Iraq war; three months after we invaded Iraq they held up the Iraq bank for £20bn.

The Guardian

In their final scene together, they meet near where they first crossed paths, and she coldly pays him off with a check.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pay him off" when the context involves providing money or other valuables to someone to stop them from causing trouble, revealing secrets, or taking certain actions. Be aware of the potentially negative connotations, as it often implies unethical or illegal activity.

Common error

Avoid using "pay him off" in contexts where a simple payment for services is intended. It can imply bribery or coercion, so ensure the context is appropriate. Use alternatives such as "compensate him" or "reimburse him" when a neutral payment is meant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay him off" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb 'pay' with the particle 'off' to create a new meaning. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pay him off" is a common phrasal verb used to describe providing something of value—typically money—to someone to achieve a specific goal, such as ensuring silence or preventing a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and frequent usage. While generally neutral in register, it can carry negative connotations implying bribery or coercion. When writing, be mindful of these ethical implications and choose more neutral alternatives, such as "compensate him" or "reimburse him", if a simple payment is intended. Considering the origin of Ludwig's data, it's most frequently found within news media, followed by wiki and business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give him hush money

Specifically refers to paying someone to keep silent about something.

bribe him

This implies an illegal or unethical payment to influence someone's actions.

appease him with payment

Suggests pacifying someone by offering money.

satisfy his claim

Refers to fulfilling a demand or entitlement, usually involving money.

settle with him

Suggests reaching an agreement, often involving a financial payment, to resolve a dispute.

suborn him

Entails inducing someone to commit perjury or another unlawful act.

compensate him

Implies giving money to someone as a form of recompense for loss, injury, or suffering.

indemnify him

Means to secure someone against financial loss or legal responsibility.

buy him out

Refers to purchasing someone's share or interest in something, often to gain control.

remunerate him

A more formal way of saying to pay someone for services rendered.

FAQs

How can I use "pay him off" in a sentence?

You can use "pay him off" to describe giving someone money to prevent them from taking an action, revealing information, or causing trouble. For example: "The company decided to "pay him off" to avoid a scandal."

What is a synonym for "pay him off"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "bribe him", "settle with him", or "compensate him".

When is it appropriate to use "pay him off"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey the idea of giving someone something of value (usually money) to ensure their silence, cooperation, or departure from a situation. Be mindful of the negative implications.

What are the ethical implications of "pay him off"?

The phrase often carries negative ethical connotations because it suggests an attempt to manipulate someone's behavior through financial incentives, potentially involving bribery or coercion. Consider less morally ambiguous phrases if the intent is simply to compensate or settle with someone.