# pay the bills

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/pay-the-bills
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To provide enough income to sustain one's lifestyle.

## Examples

- 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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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.