pay the piper
The phrase "pay the piper" originates from the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin and is used to emphasize the need to face consequences or fulfill obligations.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)To face the consequences of one's actions or decisions.
Example
- After years of reckless spending, he finally had to pay the piper and declare bankruptcy.
B2General
(idiomatic)To fulfill an obligation or settle a debt, often after enjoying a benefit.
Example
- You enjoyed the lavish vacation, but now it's time to pay the piper and deal with the credit card bill.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "pay the piper":
pay the fiddlerpay one's duespay the freightpay the rentpay one's own waypay outpay backpay to playdevil to payante uppay offpay traincough uptake or paytake the fallbuy and pay forshell out