English Explanatory Dictionary

pay the piper

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To pay expenses for something, and thus be in a position to be in control.
  2. To pay a monetary or other debt or experience unfavorable consequences, especially when the payment or consequences are inevitable or a result of something one has enjoyed.

Pronunciation

En-au-pay the piper.ogg

Word forms

pay the piper pays the piper paying the piper paid the piper

Etymology

Sense 1 is from the English phrase who pays the piper calls the tune; sense 2 may allude to the pied piper.

Synonyms

pay the fiddler pay the price pay the penalty
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