# hell to pay

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hell-to-pay
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Very unpleasant consequences; a great deal of trouble.

## Examples

- If you break that vase, there will be hell to pay.
- If the boss finds out you deleted those files, there will be hell to pay for the whole team.
- The politician knew that if the scandal reached the public, there would be hell to pay for his entire administration.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.