pay out
B2 neutral both both
In simple words
to give out money
Literal meaning: to send payment outward
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
to give money to someone from an organization, fund, or machine
"The insurer paid out thousands of dollars after the storm."
Grammar: both
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
to spend a large amount of money
"We had to pay out more than expected for repairs."
Grammar: inseparable
3 C1 neutral
to let rope, cable, or line move out gradually
"The sailor paid out more rope as the boat drifted back."
Grammar: both
Usage notes
Common in insurance, gambling, compensation, and company contexts. Also used in technical rope-handling contexts, though that sense is less common for learners.
Commonly used with
compensation insurance dividend benefits machine cash
Forms
Base
pay out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pays out
he/she/it
Past simple
paid out
yesterday
Past participle
paid out
have + pp
-ing form
paying out
continuous
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Synonyms
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