pick up the tab/bill/check
idiom
: to pay the money that is owed for something
The company picked up the entire tab for my trip.
They offered to pick up the check for dinner.
Examples of pick up the tab/bill/check in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When the Torres arrived to pick up the check Thursday a city employee challenged her on her appearance compared to the age in the application.
—
Phil Helsel, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2024
As Trump has pointed out in his criticisms of NATO members’ military spending, unconditional reassurance can encourage free-riding by allies, who may assume that the United States will always pick up the bill for collective defense.
—Michael O’Hanlon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
Takata had been responsible for the cost of replacing the defective inflaters — a task handled by local car dealerships — but the bankruptcy filing left automakers to pick up the bill.
—Neal E. Boudette, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023
Who should pick up the check at the end of the meal?
—Dani Shapiro, Bon Appétit, 10 Aug. 2021
In the eyes of his family, North Park resident Homero Zapata was a success in every way — a loving husband, father and grandfather and a hard-working, self-reliant businessman who never let anyone else pick up the check.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2021
The licenses raise $5.3 million per year to train local law enforcement officers, and taxpayers will be forced to partially pick up the bill, the paper reported.
—David Aaro, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2021
The records showed how Murakami had forwarded the invoice to the city manager of Industry, who later agreed to pick up the bill.
—Alene Tchekmedyianstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2022
America gets stiffed and our taxpayers pick up the bill.
—David Aaro, Fox News, 15 June 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Phil Helsel, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2024
As Trump has pointed out in his criticisms of NATO members’ military spending, unconditional reassurance can encourage free-riding by allies, who may assume that the United States will always pick up the bill for collective defense.
—Michael O’Hanlon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
Takata had been responsible for the cost of replacing the defective inflaters — a task handled by local car dealerships — but the bankruptcy filing left automakers to pick up the bill.
—Neal E. Boudette, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023
Who should pick up the check at the end of the meal?
—Dani Shapiro, Bon Appétit, 10 Aug. 2021
In the eyes of his family, North Park resident Homero Zapata was a success in every way — a loving husband, father and grandfather and a hard-working, self-reliant businessman who never let anyone else pick up the check.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2021
The licenses raise $5.3 million per year to train local law enforcement officers, and taxpayers will be forced to partially pick up the bill, the paper reported.
—David Aaro, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2021
The records showed how Murakami had forwarded the invoice to the city manager of Industry, who later agreed to pick up the bill.
—Alene Tchekmedyianstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2022
America gets stiffed and our taxpayers pick up the bill.
—David Aaro, Fox News, 15 June 2021
Dictionary Entries Near pick up the tab/bill/check
Cite this Entry
“Pick up the tab/bill/check.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pick%20up%20the%20tab%2Fbill%2Fcheck. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share