pay (for something) in advance

pay (for something) in advance

To make a payment before one collects or receives the thing being purchased. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used after "pay" to specify who is being paid. You'll have to pay them in advance for the tickets. You can reserve the new computer online, and you don't have to pay for it in advance. I hope you didn't pay him for the work in advance.

See also: advance, pay

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

pay in advance

to pay (for something) before it is received or delivered. I want to make a special order. Will I have to pay in advance? Yes, please pay in advance.

See also: advance, pay

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.