pay
名词
定义 pay 名词
- B1Uncountable
The money received in exchange for work done or services rendered.
This job has good pay, but the benefits aren't great.
They promised to give her fair pay for her work.
His job has a high pay, but with significant responsibilities.
片语 pay 名词
- be in the pay of someone
To work for someone, typically in a clandestine manner, and receive payment for it.
• It was rumored that the journalist was in the pay of the company, spreading negative information about their competitors.
动词
定义 pay 动词
exchange
- A1TransitiveIntransitive
To give someone money as a form of exchange for goods or services.
You must pay upon receipt of the goods.
I usually prefer to pay in cash.
You can pay by credit card or bank transfer.
compensation
- B1TransitiveIntransitive
To provide someone with a wage or salary in return for their work or services.
The company pays its employees monthly.
They pay part-time workers an hourly wage.
He was paid well for the project.
benefit
- Intransitive
To yield a profit, advantage, or benefit; to be worthwhile.
It always pays to be honest.
Investing in education usually pays off.
Patience and hard work eventually pay.
attention
- C2Transitive
To give or express something, such as attention or respect.
We must pay tribute to all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country.
She paid her respects to her mentor.
In public, we must pay respect to the elders.
片语 pay 动词
- pay for itself
To be profitable enough to cover its initial cost.
• The solar panels should pay for themselves quickly after installation.
- pay (someone/something) a call/visit
To visit a person or place for a short duration.
• I plan to pay my grandmother a visit next week.
成语
- pay dividends
To yield positive results or benefits at a later time as a result of earlier actions or efforts.
• Their heavy investment in research and development eventually paid dividends.
- pay through the nose
To pay an unreasonably high price for something; to spend much more money than something is worth.
• They paid through the nose to rent a small apartment in the city center.
- pay the ultimate price
To lose one's life as a consequence of one's actions, often for a moral cause.
• Many firefighters paid the ultimate price while trying to put out the massive fire.
- pay the price
to suffer the negative consequences or penalties for one's actions or decisions.
• They were willing to destroy the environment in pursuit of quick profits, and they will eventually pay the price.
- pay top dollar
To spend a large amount of money on something, often more than its perceived value.
• They paid top dollar to buy that house.
- pay your way
To cover one's own expenses without relying on others to pay.
• She paid her way through college by working in a restaurant.
- pay your dues
To undergo a period of hardship or unpleasant tasks to achieve a desired goal or fulfill an obligation.
• Before becoming a successful entrepreneur, he had to start from the bottom and pay his dues by gaining experience.
- he who pays the piper calls the tune.
This idiom is used to convey that the person who provides the money for a particular activity or project has the right to control how it is managed and executed.
• Since the company is their investment, they get to make the decisions; after all, he who pays the piper calls the tune.
- you pays your money and you takes your choice/chance
This idiom signifies that one must accept the consequences of their decisions, whether positive or negative.
• You pays your money and you takes your chance, buying this used car, you'll have to deal with any potential issues yourself.
片语动词 pay
- pay something out
to gradually and carefully let out a rope or cable in a controlled manner
• In rough seas, they paid out the rope carefully to maintain the balance of the boat.
- pay something in
to deposit money into a bank account
• He pays his salary in every month.
- pay for something
to face consequences or repercussions for causing harm to another, or to endure the results of one's own error
• The employee had to pay for the company's losses due to his mistake.
- pay off
When an effort or action yields success, it is considered to have paid off.
• After months of hard work, the project finally paid off.
- pay up
to settle a monetary debt you owe, particularly when you are reluctant to do so
• Under pressure from the creditor, he finally had to pay up the debt.
- pay something off
to settle a debt completely by repaying the owed money
• She finally paid off all her student loans.
- pay someone/something back
to return money to someone that you are indebted to
• I owe him a hundred dollars, and I will pay him back next week.
- pay someone back
to take retaliatory action against someone for their unpleasant actions towards you
• She decided to pay her bully back by teaching him a lesson, so he would think twice before picking on her again.
- pay down something
to partially settle an owed amount, thereby decreasing the overall debt
• They plan to pay down the mortgage each month to lessen the financial burden.
- pay someone off
When an employer releases an employee by paying them their final wages because their services are no longer required or financial constraints prevent continued employment.
• Due to financial difficulties, the company was forced to pay off a senior employee after settling their wages.
- pay (something) out
to allocate a significant amount of money for something or as a payment to someone
• The company decided to pay out a large bonus to its employees to thank them for their hard work.