devil to pay
Consequences are inevitable
Devil to pay describes a situation where serious trouble or consequences are inevitable: There'll be the devil to pay if she finds out.
The phrase suggests punishment or reckoning is coming, as if a debt to the devil has come due.
Often used as warning or prediction of someone's angry reaction to a transgression.
Severe hardship or peril
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- quandaryState of perplexity
- plightDifficult, dangerous situation
- bindFasten or obligate
pickle · jam · fix · scrape · mess · hot water · tight spot · deep trouble
Settlement of accounts
- comeuppanceDeserved punishment or rebuke
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- repercussionsIndirect results of actions
- aftermathResults following an event
penalties · fallout · ramifications · punishment · accountability · judgment · dues · price
Unavoidable calamity approaching
- no escapeNo way out
- unavoidableImpossible to prevent
- inescapableImpossible to avoid
- moment of truthDecisive instant of revelation
dire straits
Severe hardship or peril
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- quandaryState of perplexity
- plightDifficult, dangerous situation
bind · pickle · jam · fix · scrape · mess · hot water · tight spot · deep trouble · crisis
reckoning
Settlement of accounts
- comeuppanceDeserved punishment or rebuke
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- repercussionsIndirect results of actions
aftermath · penalties · fallout · ramifications · punishment · accountability · judgment · dues · price · cost
impending doom
Unavoidable calamity approaching
- no escapeNo way out
- unavoidableImpossible to prevent
- inescapableImpossible to avoid
devil to payno harm done
Reassurance after a mishap
off the hook · scot-free · clean slate · free and clear · water under the bridge
devil to paysmooth sailing
Untroubled progress forward
easy street · plain sailing · bed of roses · piece of cake · home free
devil, devils, devilish, devilry, deviltry, pay, pays, paying, payable