ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pay the fiddler

idiom
Meaning

To face the consequences of one's actions.


Examples
SIMPLE

He partied all week, and now he must pay the fiddler.

CONTEXTUAL

After cheating on the exam, he knew he would eventually have to pay the fiddler.

COMPLEX

Years of reckless spending had brought him to this moment, standing in the empty house, finally forced to pay the fiddler for his long dance with debt.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    hell to pay

    Very unpleasant consequences; a great deal of trouble.

  2. 02

    hit pay dirt

    To strike it rich; to get lucky or have a big break.

  3. 03

    pay a visit

    To visit.

  4. 04

    pay attention

    To attend; to be attentive; to focus one's attention.

  5. 05

    pay dividends

    To bring about something good as a result of past effort or actions.

  6. 06

    pay heed

    To give attention; to heed.

  7. 07

    pay homage to

    to show honor or respect to; to honor; to do, make or pay obeisance to

  8. 08

    pay off old scores

    To settle old grudges by taking revenge.

© 2026 English Reference