pay for (someone)
To cover the expense incurred by someone else. I'd rather that you don't pay for me—I think people on first dates should share the cost of the evening. We don't have the money to pay for every client who comes to us with a sob story.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
pay for something
1. Lit. to pay out money for something. Did you pay for the magazine, or shall I? No, I'll pay for it.
2. Fig. to suffer punishment for something. The criminal will pay for his crimes. I don't like what you did to me, and I'm going to see that you pay for it. Max paid for his wicked ways.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
pay for
1. Cover the expenses of, defray the cost of, as in I'll pay for your movie ticket, or This truck will pay for itself within a year. [Mid-1300s]
2. Atone for, suffer for, as in He may have looked like a good manager, but his successor will end up paying for his mistakes . [Late 1600s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
pay for
v.1. To give some amount of money in return for something: I paid $12 for those gloves. Did you pay for our meal yet?
2. To bear a cost or penalty as a result of some action: You will pay for your laziness when you take your exams and do badly.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.