paid one's dues
Put in time
To pay one's dues is to earn status or privileges through prior hardship, work, or experience.
The phrase comes from membership organizations requiring payment before accessing benefits.
Someone who has paid their dues deserves respect or opportunity because they've put in the time: She paid her dues in community theater before making it to Broadway.
I've paid my dues—now it's my turn for a promotion.
- successFavorable outcome attained
- careerLifelong occupational pursuit
- climbing the ladderProgressing through hierarchy
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- respectRegard with honor
grit · blood sweat and tears · hard work · initiation · sacrifice · starting from scratch · diligence · toil · long hours · seniority · years of experience · apprenticeship · accomplishment · tenure · mentorship · endurance · time served · validation
paid one's duescoasted
Moved on momentum
free ride · jumped the queue · unearned · nepo baby · privileged
paid one's duesgreen
Color of vegetation
wet behind the ears · greenhorn · rookie · novice · untested
paid one's duesundeserving
Not meriting what's given
got lucky · coasting · unworthy · freeloading · cutting corners
paid, paying, payers, payable, payment, payments, repaid, repays, repaying