He who pays the piper calls the tune

He who pays the piper calls the tune.

Prov. If you are paying for someone's services, you can dictate exactly what you want that person to do. When Mrs. Dalton told the artist what she wanted her portrait to look like, the artist cringed to think that anyone could have such bad taste. Still, he who pays the piper calls the tune, and Mrs. Dalton got what she wanted.

See also: call, pay, piper, tune, who

References in periodicals archive	?		Idioms browser	?		Full browser	?
He who pays the piper calls the tune, and it looks as if Chancellor Angela Merkel's German government is paying the GM piper quite generously. Carmakers face some hard work by Daily Post (Liverpool, England) At the end of the day, he who pays the piper calls the tune. Letter: Piper calls the tune by The Racing Post (London, England) It must not be forgotten that he who pays the piper calls the tune and should it be that it is all the fault of the European Union, then it is high time we withdrew. Letter: Is it time to turn the tables on councils? VOICE OF THE NORTH by The Journal (Newcastle, England)	haw hawk hay haystack hazard hazard an opinion He can whistle for it! he doesn't have a [jealous, mean, unkind etc.] bone in his body He gives twice who gives quickly He lives long who lives well He puts his pants on one leg at a time He that cannot obey cannot command He that hath a full purse never wanted a friend He that is down need fear no fall He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut He that would go to sea for pleasure, would go to hell for a pastime He that would have eggs must endure the cackling of hens He that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin He travels fastest who travels alone He wears a ten-dollar hat on a five-cent head He who begins many things, finishes but few He who excuses himself accuses himself He who fights and runs away, may live to fight another day He who hesitates is lost He who laughs last, laughs longest He who pays the piper calls the tune He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon He who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom He will get his head head and shoulders above head and shoulders above [the others rest etc.] head at head away from head back head for head for tall timber head for the hills head for the last roundup head in head into head off head off at the pass head off to head on head on a plate head out head out after head over heels head over heels in debt	he should be so lucky he should be so lucky He that cannot obey cannot command He that hath a full purse never wanted a friend He that is down need fear no fall He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut He that would go to sea for pleasure, would go to hell for a pastime He that would have eggs must endure the cackling of hens He that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin He travels fastest who travels alone he wasn't born yesterday! He wears a ten-dollar hat on a five-cent head He who begins many things, finishes but few He who excels He who excels He who excuses himself accuses himself He who fights and runs away, may live to fight another day He who has committed iniquity he who has passed away He who hesitates is lost He Who Laughs Last He who laughs last, laughs best He who laughs last, laughs longest He Who Must Be Obeyed He Who Must Not Be Named He Who Must Obey Me He who pays the piper calls the tune He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount He Who Shall Not Be Named He Who Shall Remain Nameless He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon He who will have equity done to him He who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom He Whose Name Cannot Be Mentioned He will get his he will try anything once he will try anything once he will try anything once he will try anything once he will try anything once He Zheng HE&LP HE&R HE&SIDS HE&W he'd He'dewachi he'll He'nan He'nan he's He's Just Not That Into You He's on His Own he- he- he- He-3

References in periodicals archive

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He who pays the piper calls the tune, and it looks as if Chancellor Angela Merkel's German government is paying the GM piper quite generously.

Carmakers face some hard work by Daily Post (Liverpool, England)

At the end of the day, he who pays the piper calls the tune.

Letter: Piper calls the tune by The Racing Post (London, England)

It must not be forgotten that he who pays the piper calls the tune and should it be that it is all the fault of the European Union, then it is high time we withdrew.

Letter: Is it time to turn the tables on councils? VOICE OF THE NORTH by The Journal (Newcastle, England)

He can whistle for it!

he doesn't have a [jealous, mean, unkind etc.] bone in his body

He gives twice who gives quickly

He lives long who lives well

He puts his pants on one leg at a time