pay-as-you-go

[ pey-uhz-yoo-goh ]

noun
  1. the principle or practice of paying for goods and services at the time of purchase, rather than relying on credit.

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or based on such a principle or practice: a pay-as-you-go budget.

Origin of pay-as-you-go

1
An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pay-as-you-go in a sentence

Other Idioms and Phrases with pay-as-you-go

pay-as-you-go

Pay for purchases immediately instead of deferring payment. For example, Ruth and Bob had no credit cards; they believed in paying as you go. [First half of 1800s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.