pay for itself
Justify the expense
When something pays for itself, it generates enough savings or income to equal its original cost.
A fuel-efficient car pays for itself through reduced gas expenses.
Solar panels pay for themselves over time.
The phrase suggests an investment that eventually becomes free: The new equipment should pay for itself within two years.
- break evenNo gain, no loss
- pay offDischarge a debt
- recoupRegain a loss
- money backReimbursement for purchases
- savingsAccumulated money kept
bill · pencil out · returns · yield · in the black · reimbursement · cost-effective · return on investment · cost recovery · even up · machine · passive income · keep the lights on · receipt · refund · cash · worthwhile · profitability
pay for itselfmoney pit
Endlessly expensive undertaking
financial burden · net loss · unprofitable · bottomless pit · white elephant
pay for itselfwhite elephant
Burdensome, useless possession
boondoggle · lemon · false economy · buyer's remorse · throwing good money after bad
pay for itselfwaste of money
not worth it · buyer's remorse · throwing money away · extravagance · boondoggle
pays, paying, payable, payment, payments, payer, payers, payee, payees