hell to pay
Very negative or severe consequences. There will be hell to pay if you come home after curfew yet again. You borrowed Dad's car without asking? If he finds out, you'll have hell to pay! My sister hates when I go through her stuff, so we need to be quick—otherwise, I'll have hell to pay.
the devil to pay
A huge amount of trouble, typically as a result of some particular thing happening (or not). There'll be the devil to pay if they catch us sneaking out this late at night! I just worry that we'll have the devil to pay if he gets elected president.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
hell to pay
Great trouble, as in If we're wrong there'll be hell to pay. [c. 1800]
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.
the devil to pay
serious trouble to be expected. This expression refers to the bargain formerly supposed to be made between magicians and the devil, the former receiving extraordinary powers or wealth in return for their souls.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
ˈhell/the ˈdevil to pay
(informal) a lot of trouble: There’ll be hell to pay when your father sees that broken window.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
hell to pay
Great trouble: If we're wrong, there'll be hell to pay.
the devil to pay
Trouble to be faced as a result of an action: There'll be the devil to pay if you allow the piglets inside the house.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.