foot the bill

Idioms  

1. Pay the bill, settle the accounts, as in The bride's father was resigned to footing the bill for the wedding. This expression uses foot in the sense of “add up and put the total at the foot, or bottom, of an account.” [Colloquial; early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill previously criticised Fifa's refusal to subsidise transport at the event and insisted local taxpayers would not foot the bill.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

But the consumers who had to foot the bill for the higher costs?

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026

While the sovereign-wealth funds will help foot the bill, Ellison will remain the guarantor if one of the Gulf nations backs out of the deal, Tuesday’s regulatory filing said.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Try to make it fun, and don’t forget to foot the bill for members to attend.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

He had decided to assemble a research team and explore the area in more detail the next year, and persuaded the National Geographic Society to foot the bill.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann