1. Any of the various
swindles in which the
victim is led to believe that he has won a
large sum in
gambling. Before he "
collects", he is required to
exhibit, as
evidence of
good faith, a sum equal to that in which he had
risked losing. The victim's money is examined and
palmed; a wad of
worthless paper is substituted for the
genuine currency. The victim is thus swindled both of his own money and of his supposed
winnings.
2. The
successful termination of any
criminal action; the actual
transfer of
money or
loot from
victim to
criminal.
3. The
climax, especially one which is not
expected. "
The rapper stepped in on the line-up to put the finger on me. The pay-off came when he picked one of the bulls and passed me up."
4. To
hand over money or
valuables as the
victim of a
crime or
racket; to yield to
blackmail or
extortion; to pay money as
bribery.
5. To
yield a
profit; to
bring results.
6. To
repay a debt.
7. To
assault or
kill in
retribution.
- american underworld dictionary - 1950