This expression appears in the Thomas the Tank Engine books and seems to mean "getting even" or "getting back at someone". Can anyone enlighten me as to the origins of this phrase?

Hello Rouspeteur!

In Oz speak, paying out on someone, or paying someone out, means teasing them, in a fun, playful way. For example: "I've been paying out on my boss about the beautiful shade of pink he's wearing today." It's all said in joking tones. I'm not up on the context of Thomas the Tank Engine though.

Don't know about origins either... sorry!

Hev