pay the bills
To provide enough income to sustain one's lifestyle.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I work at a cafe to pay the bills.”
“She took a job she did not enjoy just to pay the bills while she finished her degree.”
“Although he longed to pursue his passion for painting, he accepted a corporate position solely to pay the bills and support his growing family.”
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bill of goods
A set of misleading or deceptive claims.
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butcher's bill
death toll
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Christmas tree bill
A bill consisting of many riders that attracts many, often unrelated, floor amendments, which may provide special benefits to various groups or interests.
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fit the bill
To satisfy a need; to serve a purpose; to fulfill specified requirements.
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foot the bill
To pay for something.
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friend of Bill W.
A recovering alcoholic, especially one who is a member of the organization Alcoholics Anonymous.
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hell to pay
Very unpleasant consequences; a great deal of trouble.
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hit pay dirt
To strike it rich; to get lucky or have a big break.
Last updated August 10, 2026