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.
We all ultimately pay the piper and take accountability for our actions.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026
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
Somehow she had found out, and we were going down to Stuyvesant together to pay the piper.
From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.