price to pay

1. Literally, the amount of money required to do or obtain something. I actually feel like $400 is a pretty small price to pay for such high-quality speakers. This costs $25? That's kind of a heavy price to pay for a burger, don't you think?

2. That which must be done, endured, or sacrificed in order to attain or achieve something. The way I see it, eating vegetables and giving up sweets is a pretty small price to pay for a long and healthy life. The hours can be grueling, but that's the price to pay if you want to work at the top of this industry.

3. That which comes as a consequence or repercussion as a result of some decision or course of action. We could save a lot of money if we started cutting corners in the production process, but losing the integrity of our brand is too high a price to pay. His reputation got dragged through the mud by the media, but that's the price you pay for having an affair with such a high-profile celebrity.