pay the piper
To pay expenses for something, and thus be in a position to be in control.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“If you break the rules, you eventually have to pay the piper.”
“He ignored his car's engine warning for months, but now he must pay the piper for the expensive repairs.”
“Having recklessly ignored the long-term consequences of his financial decisions, he finally faced the moment where he had to pay the piper for his past extravagance.”
Sense 1 is from the English phrase who pays the piper calls the tune; sense 2 may allude to the pied piper.
- 01
hell to pay
Very unpleasant consequences; a great deal of trouble.
- 02
hit pay dirt
To strike it rich; to get lucky or have a big break.
- 03
pay a visit
To visit.
- 04
pay attention
To attend; to be attentive; to focus one's attention.
- 05
pay dividends
To bring about something good as a result of past effort or actions.
- 06
pay heed
To give attention; to heed.
- 07
pay homage to
to show honor or respect to; to honor; to do, make or pay obeisance to
- 08
pay off old scores
To settle old grudges by taking revenge.
Last updated August 10, 2026