foot the bill

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]

Example Sentences

Now Sheridan fears he may have to foot the bill to bring in clean soil and regrade his property before he can rebuild.

From Los Angeles Times

The county, he emphasized, will still foot the bill for everything — a request that could prove financially risky for the cash-strapped county.

From Los Angeles Times

Under Texas’ school voucher system, taxpayers foot the bill for up to $10,000 of the cost of private schools.

From Salon

The donors’ willingness to foot the bill eliminates a major deterrent to walking out — the personal financial cost — and could embolden Democrats who might otherwise hesitate.

From Salon

But he added that a new ombudsman may provide a means of redress for consumers "who for too long have been forced to foot the bill for failing water companies".

From BBC