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
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.
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 Should the countries most responsible for climate change pick up the bill for everyone else? Tim McDonnell, Quartz, 15 Apr. 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 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!