pay the piper
pay the fiddler
To suffer the results of being foolish; pay or suffer because of your foolish acts or wasting money.
(From the proverb "He who dances must pay the piper (or the fiddler).")
(From the proverb "He who dances must pay the piper (or the fiddler).")
Bob had spent all his money and got into debt, so now he must pay the piper.
Fred had a fight, broke a window, and quarreled with his counselor so now he must pay the fiddler.
pay through the nose
To pay at a very high rate; pay too much.
He had wanted experience, but this job seemed like paying through the nose for it.
There was a shortage of cars; if you found one for sale, you had to pay through the nose.
pay up
To pay in full; pay the amount of; pay what is owed.
The monthly installments on the car were paid up.
He pays his dues up promptly.
He gets behind when he is out of work but always pays up when he is working again.
payoff
Culmination point; climax.
After many months of patient labor on your book, the payoff comes when you see the first printed copy.
rob Peter to pay Paul
To change one duty or need for another; take from one person or thing to pay another.
Bill owed Sam a dollar, so he borrowed another from Joe to pay Sam back. He robbed Peter to pay Paul.
Trying to study a lesson for one class during another class is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.