pay the piper

1. To pay the consequences for self-indulgent behavior: “If you stay up late at night to watch TV, in the morning you will have to pay the piper.”

Idioms and Phrases

see under call the tune.

Example Sentences

“And if it feels too good to be true, that’s because it is. Sooner or later, you’ve got to pay the piper.”

From Salon

He’ll be happy merely going to his grave never having to pay the piper.

From Salon

"Hamas and the Palestinians have been attacking Israel for 20 years. It's time to pay the piper."

From Salon

But the surveys also show that the public writ large is far less sympathetic to Mr. Trump than the GOP primary electorate, and more likely to think it is time for him to pay the piper.

From Washington Times

"Trump has escaped accountability for too long. It's well past time to pay the piper."

From Salon