(if) you break it, you buy it

cliché If you break something that you don't own, then you must pay for it. Often used as a policy or warning within retail stores. The antique shop had a huge sign right when you walked in that read, "If you break it, you buy it." I'm both clumsy and broke, so I decided not to go in. Hey, careful with that! I got it in Switzerland, and it cost me nearly $500. You break it, you buy it. A: "I'm so sorry, ma'am. The teapot slipped right out of my hands." B: "Well, you break it, you buy it. That'll be $74.50."