pick up the tab
Pay for all
To pick up the tab is to pay a bill, especially at a restaurant or bar, on behalf of a group: Don't worry about dinner—I'll pick up the tab.
The phrase implies generosity or obligation, often used when one person covers expenses that might otherwise be shared.
It extends beyond dining to any cost someone absorbs for others: Taxpayers pick up the tab for the bailout.
- foot the billPay entire cost
- payWages for work
- defrayPay part of costs
- pony upPay reluctantly
- settle upPay outstanding debts
treat · cover · cough up · foot · on the house · largesse · bankroll · comped · pay for · finance · expense account · money · generous · fork over · subsidize · reciprocity · fund · expenses
pick up the tabfreeload
Take without reciprocating
mooch · dine and dash · leave someone holding the bag · go Dutch · nickel-and-dime
pick, tablet, pickup, picked up, picking up, pickup truck, tabled, tabling, pick-up