Foot the bill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Foot the bill" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is responsible for paying for something, often in a social context. Example: "When we went out to dinner, my parents insisted on footing the bill for the entire meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Taxpayers foot the bill for the old.

The Economist

Should taxpayers foot the bill for them?

Independent

City taxpayers will foot the bill.

The New York Times

So who's going to foot the bill?

The Guardian

The United States will foot the bill.

The New York Times

Why should Joe Public foot the bill?

The Guardian - Opinion

Donors are unlikely to foot the bill.

The Guardian

But they could not foot the bill for trainers.

The New Yorker

WHEN big banks fail, taxpayers usually foot the bill.

The Economist

And the American taxpayer helps foot the bill.

The New York Times

He ordered the cooperative association to foot the bill.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Foot the bill" when you want to emphasize the responsibility of a particular party in covering expenses, often when those expenses are unexpected or substantial.

Common error

Avoid using "Foot the bill" if the responsibility for payment is already clearly defined and agreed upon, as it implies an additional or unexpected burden.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "Foot the bill" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate responsibility for payment. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in sentences where someone is expected to cover expenses, whether it's taxpayers, companies, or individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "Foot the bill" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate who is responsible for paying an expense. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it conveys information clearly. While there are more formal alternatives, "Foot the bill" is widely understood and accepted. When writing, ensure the context justifies emphasizing payment responsibility, and be mindful of potentially more suitable formal phrasing. The wide range of examples from Ludwig highlights the adaptability and frequent usage of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pay the expenses

A more straightforward alternative that focuses on the action of paying for costs.

Cover the costs

Emphasizes the act of providing sufficient funds to meet expenses.

Pick up the tab

An informal idiom with a similar meaning, often used in social settings.

Settle the account

Implies a finalization of payment, particularly for a specific transaction.

Be responsible for payment

A formal phrase expressing the obligation to pay.

Shoulder the expense

Highlights the burden of responsibility for covering the cost.

Take care of the charges

Indicates attending to the financial obligations.

Be the payer

Focuses on the role of the individual or entity making the payment.

Handle the financial obligation

Highlights the active management of the payment process.

Clear the debt

Implies removing the financial obligation through payment.

FAQs

How can I use "Foot the bill" in a sentence?

You can use "Foot the bill" to indicate who is responsible for paying a particular expense. For example, "The company will "foot the bill" for the conference expenses."

What are some alternatives to saying "Foot the bill"?

Alternatives to "Foot the bill" include phrases like "pay the expenses", "cover the costs", or "pick up the tab".

Is it appropriate to use "Foot the bill" in formal writing?

While "Foot the bill" is acceptable in most contexts, more formal alternatives like "be responsible for payment" might be preferred in highly formal or technical writing.

What does it mean when someone says "Who will foot the bill?"

The question "Who will "foot the bill"?" is asking who will be responsible for paying for something, often implying uncertainty or concern about the cost.