pays the piper
Faces the music
To pay the piper is to bear the consequences of one's actions or choices, especially after enjoying something that came at a cost.
The phrase comes from the idea that whoever pays the musician gets to call the tune—and that payment eventually comes due.
We partied all semester; now it's finals week and time to pay the piper.
- payWages for work
- feePayment for service
- foot the billPay entire cost
- settle upPay outstanding debts
- consequenceResult of an action
pay the price · face the music · outcome · reckoning · day of reckoning · accountability · repercussion · culpability · choice · debt · karmic debt · ramification · comeuppance · tune · aftermath · dance · answerability · obligation