Phrase guide

pay the price

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To incur the negative consequences of (one’s own or someone else’s) actions or decisions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: face the music, pay the piper

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: ausbaden — to incur the negative consequences of one's decision
  • Italian: pagare lo scotto — to incur the negative consequences of one's decision
  • Polish: płacić za — to incur the negative consequences of one's decision
  • Polish: zapłacić za — to incur the negative consequences of one's decision
  • Spanish: pagarlo caro — to incur the negative consequences of one's decision
  • Spanish: pagar las consecuencias — to incur the negative consequences of one's decision