pay the fiddler — verb a) To face the consequences of one’s actions. The three day party had been a lot of fun, but now it was time to pay the fiddler. b) To contribute in order to participate. If you want to dance, you’ve got to pay the fiddler <! This should… … Wiktionary
pay the fiddler (to) — Pay what one owes; take the consequences. The phrase comes from the proverb “He who dances must pay the piper.” ► “Eastern Europe’s banks pay the piper after the heady days of the early ’90s.” (Wall Street Journal, April 18, 1996, p. A12) … American business jargon
they that dance must pay the fiddler — Cf. he who pays the piper calls the tune, where the emphasis is reversed. To pay the piper (fiddler, etc.) means ‘to bear the cost (of an enterprise)’. The proverb is now predominantly found in US use. 1638 J. TAYLOR Taylor’s Feast in Works… … Proverbs new dictionary
pay the piper — or[pay the fiddler] {v. phr.} To suffer the results of being foolish; pay or suffer because of your foolish acts or wasting money. * /Bob had spent all his money and got into debt, so now he must pay the piper./ * /Fred had a fight, broke a… … Dictionary of American idioms
pay the piper — or[pay the fiddler] {v. phr.} To suffer the results of being foolish; pay or suffer because of your foolish acts or wasting money. * /Bob had spent all his money and got into debt, so now he must pay the piper./ * /Fred had a fight, broke a… … Dictionary of American idioms
pay\ the\ piper — • pay the piper • pay the fiddler v. phr. To suffer the results of being foolish; pay or suffer because of your foolish acts or wasting money. Bob had spent all his money and got into debt, so now he must pay the piper. Fred had a fight, broke a… … Словарь американских идиом
he\ who\ dances\ must\ pay\ the\ fiddler — proverb See: pay the piper … Словарь американских идиом
pay the piper — verb a) To pay expenses for something, and thus be in a position to be in control (i.e. to be able to call the tune). Those that pay the piper must command the tune. b) To pay a monetary debt or experience unfavorable consequences, especially… … Wiktionary
pay — noun see pay beforehand was never well served no cure, no pay verb see he that cannot pay, let him pray if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys crime doesn’t pay they that dance must pay the fiddler … Proverbs new dictionary
fiddler — See: PAY THE PIPER or PAY THE FIDDLER … Dictionary of American idioms
