pay dues


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pay (one's) dues

1. Literally, to pay the requisite fees to enter into or remain in an organization. If you don't pay your dues every month, they will rescind your membership without warning.
2. By extension, to work hard, gain the necessary skills or experience, or suffer hardships (in order to earn a position, set of rights, the respect of others, etc.). I paid my dues working in the warehouse for 10 years before I got this job in the head office.
See also: due, pay

pay one's dues

 
1. Lit. to pay the fees required to belong to an organization. If you haven't paid your dues, you can't come to the club picnic. How many people have paid their dues?
2. Fig. to have earned one's right to something through hard work or suffering. He worked hard to get to where he is today. He paid his dues and did what he was told. I have every right to be here. I paid my dues!
See also: due, pay

pay (one's) dues

To earn a given right or position through hard work, long-term experience, or suffering: She paid her dues in small-town theaters before being cast in a Broadway play.
See also: due, pay
References in periodicals archive ?
Greenstein said individuals will be required to pay dues to another board to maintain both the Realtor "R" and individual designations such as Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI), Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), General Accredited Appraiser (GAA), and Residential Accredited Appraiser (RAA).
REBNY pulls out of NAR
The act achieved the stated goal of right-to-work laws by making it illegal to fire a worker who refuses to join or pay dues to a union.
Politics in Michigan
Bowles had been admitted to the California Bar Association in 1977 and was suspended twice for failure to pay dues, records show.
RAIDED VALLEY HOME HAS OODLES IN BOODLE
These workers were forced to pay dues in order to work.
RIGHTSLAND, a fairy tale?
The membership in the Camara is mandatory for all persons involved in commercial, industrial or services activities within the Comunidad, and all members pay dues based on their revenues.
Spanish Business Magnate Elected to Terremark Worldwide's Board of Directors; Fernando Fernandez-Tapias Will Provide Expertise in European Markets
IN AN effort to rescue the lossmaking sugar industry, a ministerial panel on Friday recommended a bailout package, including ` 7,200 crore of interest- free bank loans to pay dues to sugarcane growers.
` 7,200- crore bailout for sugar mills
Islamabad, January 10, 2012 (Frontier Star): Pakistan State Oil (PSO) is on the verge of collapse and is likely to face financial crunch if the government failure continue to pay dues increased to more than Rs 185 billion.
PSO circular debt increases to Rs 185b
According to the details, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued warning notices to more than dozens of weakly Bazaars owners of G-6 and H-9 for delayed in starting business on allotted land and for failure to pay dues.
CDA issues Warning notice to many stalls holder of Sasta Bazaars
The union argued that all teachers in the bargaining unit should be required to pay dues because they all benefit from the raises and benefits negotiated by the organization.
SOME TEACHERS ANGRY OVER DUES OBJECTORS REFUSE TO PAY UNION FEES
YPO's new portal went live at the end of June and now enables members to pay dues, view events and interact with other members through peer-to-peer networking.
Empowered Software Solutions Re-Engineers Young Presidents' Organization Application to Make New Portal Function
Now the PSO has issued final notice, asking PIA to pay dues otherwise oil supply would be halted.
PSO warns to cut oil supply to PIA
Under the new law, more than 70,000 state employees must pay dues that could total $400 to $500 per year whether or not they want to join the union.
NONUNION WORKERS ARE RIGHT TO FIGHT BACK
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