paid the piper
Settled the debt
Paid the piper means accepted the consequences of one's actions or choices, especially after enjoying benefits.
From the proverb "he who pays the piper calls the tune"—if you want the music, you eventually owe payment.
Often implies delayed reckoning: We partied all semester; now it's finals and time to pay the piper.
Usually appears as "pay the piper" in present tense.
- repercussionsIndirect results of actions
- payWages for work
- reckoningSettlement of accounts
- debtMoney owed another
- responsibilityState of being answerable
own up to · atonement · face the music · take your lumps · settlement · liability · fee · penalty · aftermath · obligation · comeuppance · compensation · duty · reparation · fallout · dues · call the tune · restitution
paid the pipergot away with it
slipped through the cracks · beat the rap · passed the buck · looked the other way · flew under the radar
paid the pipergot lucky
Succeeded by chance
caught a break · landed on one's feet · had it both ways · had one's cake and ate it too
paid, payer, payers, paying, payable, payment, payments, repaid, repaying