pay back

Meaning

To return money that you have borrowed from someone or from an institution. It is a common phrasal verb used in casual and semi-formal contexts. It can also figuratively mean to get revenge, but its primary financial meaning is to return borrowed funds.

Examples

• Thanks for lending me the cash; I'll pay you back tomorrow.

  Thanks for lending me the cash; I'll pay you back tomorrow.

• It took him three years to pay back his student loans.

  It took him three years to pay back his student loans.

• Make sure you pay back the money before the deadline to avoid interest.

  Make sure you pay back the money before the deadline to avoid interest.

• Can I pay you back via a mobile transfer instead of cash?

  Can I pay you back via a mobile transfer instead of cash?

• She promised to pay back every cent she owed us.

  She promised to pay back every cent she owed us.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to pay back to you the money.

  ✓ I need to pay you back the money.

  Since 'pay back' is a separable phrasal verb, the pronoun representing the person ('you') goes between 'pay' and 'back'. We do not use the preposition 'to' before the person.

• ✗ He returned me back the money he borrowed.

  ✓ He paid me back the money he borrowed.

  'Return back' is redundant. Use the phrasal verb 'pay back' when referring to returning borrowed money.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I promise I will ___ the money I borrowed next week.

  💡 Return borrowed money.

  Show answer

  pay back

• It is important to ___ your debts as soon as possible.

  💡 Return borrowed money.

  Show answer

  pay back