Crossword Genius

Bribe apprentice not to partici­pate in the deciding match (3,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pay off

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'bribe' is the definition.
(I know that pay off is a more specific form of the action bribe)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for pay off that I've seen before include "Punchline" , "Take revenge" , "Clear debt or discharge employee" , "Settlement in retribution or reward" , "Dnouement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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