pay the piper
CulturalExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He’ll be happy merely going to his grave never having to pay the piper.
From Salon • Mar. 13, 2025
Now the time has come for Jake to pay the piper.
From Fox News • Aug. 20, 2021
After all the theatrical fun and games, you’ll eventually have to pay the piper.
From New York Times • Feb. 18, 2020
“We will pay the piper on the other end — whatever the board decides we need to do.”
From Washington Post • Oct. 26, 2018
But really, if you commit a crime you have to pay the piper, what did she expect?
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
