pay out

Related to pay out: pay off, Pay Out Ratio

pay out

1. To give or disburse money to someone for a service or as a fee. A noun or pronoun can be used between "pay" and "out." We've already paid out nearly $20,000 in legal fees—I don't think we can afford for this to drag on much longer! They paid a hefty sum out to their customers after a computer error drained their accounts.
2. To let out a length of wire, rope, etc., by unraveling or unwinding it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "pay" and "out." Would you mind paying the twine out so I can lash the tree to the hood of my car? Make sure you pay out enough rope for us to moor the boat.
See also: out, pay
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pay something out (to someone)

to pay money to someone. The utility paid one hundred dollars out to everyone who had been overcharged. They paid out money to every customer.
See also: out, pay

pay something out

(for someone or something) to disburse or spend money for someone or something. We have already paid too much money out for your education. We paid out too much money.
See also: out, pay

pay something out

to unravel or unwind wire or rope as it is needed. (See also play something out.) One worker paid the cable out, and another worker guided it into the conduit. The worker paid out the cable.
See also: out, pay
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

pay out

1. Distribute money, disburse, as in He paid out the full amount. [Mid-1800s]
2. Let out a rope by slackening, as in She paid out the rope until it was long enough to tie the canoe onto the car. This nautical expression dates from the late 1700s.
See also: out, pay
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

pay out

v.
1. To disburse money to someone who is owed the money: We paid $2,000 out to the contractor. The clients paid out for our services in advance.
2. To spend money, especially a large amount: I paid out $20,000 for my new car. My parents paid a bundle out for my tuition.
3. To unwind or slowly add slack to some rope or line: He paid out the line after each cast. She paid the leash out bit by bit to allow the dog to explore in the park.
See also: out, pay
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • not do (someone or oneself) any favors
  • (Is) this taken?
  • ask back
  • angle
  • angling
  • interpret for
  • interpret for (someone)
  • rescue from
  • rescue from (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Construction workers' union UCATT expressed fears that insurance companies, who they believe should be taking responsibility for most pay outs, will continue to "hide" behind the Government's proposals.
A chance to do the right thing is missed; GOVERNMENT FUDGE ON PLEURAL PLAQUES SNUBS THOUSANDS:
Mr Franks asked in particular why compensation pay outs in the category "loss" had increased over the past financial year.
Lost post bill nears pounds 200k; PLAID REVEAL ROYAL MAIL COMPO COST
After weeks of negotiations Rhodia has now reached a deal with the GMB and Amicus, which also represents workers at the plant, to secure pay outs according to their final salary.
PENSION STRIKE VICTORY
RBS, which will be 84% state-owned under the terms of the Asset Protection Scheme, has to agree the size of its pay outs with UK Financial Investments, the body set up to manage public stakes in financial firms.
Bank backs down
Law firms allegedly claiming cash from former miners' compensation pay outs are to be told to repay the money by the Government.
Time for pay back
But last night, trustees and families, who were sent letters, were staying tight-lipped about the size of the pay outs.
FAMILIES GET CASH
As part of the terms of its deal to insure bad debts, the Government wants to dictate both the "quantum and shape" of the pay outs at the bank for 2009, it is claimed.
Treasury demands control
A separate study by research company Sanford C Bernstein puts the company's liability at $38bn, with pay outs averaging around $650,000
LEGAL WEEK: Drug cash fight goes to US; Heart attack victims sue firm for damages
WHY is there this obsession with National Lottery pay outs such as the recent pounds 23 million superdraw when most people would have no idea of what to do with half of the money they had won!
Cashing in; YOUR LETTERS
THREE directors of Marconi shared multi-million pound pay outs yesterday after they cashed in some of their share options.
Marconi directors cash in some chips
But chairman Allan Leighton admitted that ``tough decisions'' still have to be taken to keep the group on course for a full-year profit of pounds 400m, which will trigger the pay outs to staff next year.
PO's profits spark bonus deal for staff