meet the expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meet the expense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability to cover or pay for a particular cost or financial obligation. Example: "The company was able to meet the expense of the new equipment without any issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

While they hoped for about a dozen foreign challengers, there were only three willing and able to meet the expense — an estimated $100 million — to field a team.

The New York Times - Sports

Although Döllinger had suggested that Baer begin a study of chick development, he was unable to meet the expense of purchasing the eggs and paying an attendant to watch the incubators.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is the fund that the NAACP set up on June 13 -- the day after its Mississippi field secretary, Medgar W. Evers, was shot in the back -- to help meet the expense of educating the three Evers children.

The New Yorker

Membership in the Ekpe (Egbo), or Leopard, society, for example, available to wealthy men who can meet the expense involved, confers high social status and political authority; these men participate in ceremonies concerned with ancestral spirits and are believed to protect the community through magic and religious ritual.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This increase was caused by budget deficits arising primarily from a high level of defense spending and the unwillingness of Congress to hold taxes to rates high enough to meet the expense and in some years from a desire to stimulate economic activity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not all councils will charge the CIL, but the government expects that they will all move towards it otherwise they will not be asking developers to help them meet the expense of an increase in infrastructure costs in any given area.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

She began selling these treasures off piecemeal to meet the expenses of old age.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is Mr. Austin's idea to raise enough money to meet the expenses of Dogs for Defense.

The New Yorker

Nothing would have more effect on the nation's ability to meet the expenses of baby boomers' retirements, he said.

The New York Times

To meet the expenses of my growing family, I recently started moonlighting at a private medical practice in Queens.

The New York Times - Health

Nothing would have a more beneficial impact on the nation's ability to meet the expenses of baby boomers' retirements, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meet the expense", ensure that the context clearly indicates what expense is being referred to and who is responsible for covering it. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "meet the expense" when simply stating something is affordable. "Meet the expense" implies overcoming a challenge or specific financial obligation, not just general affordability. For general affordability, use phrases like "afford" or "within budget".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meet the expense" functions as a verb phrase, where "meet" is the verb and "the expense" is the direct object. It describes the action of fulfilling a financial obligation or covering a cost. Ludwig confirms that this is a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

17%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meet the expense" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase indicating the ability to cover a cost or financial obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase appears in diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and business publications. The phrase is categorized as having a neutral register and is replaceable with phrases such as "cover the cost" or "bear the expense". While not overly common, "meet the expense" is appropriate when the ability to handle an expense may be in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover the cost

This alternative uses a more general term 'cover' instead of 'meet', implying the same action of paying for something.

bear the expense

This alternative uses 'bear' to suggest enduring or handling the financial burden of the expense.

shoulder the cost

Similar to 'bear the expense', this phrase emphasizes taking on the responsibility of the cost.

afford the expense

This phrase focuses on having the financial resources available to pay for the expense.

defray the cost

This alternative suggests providing money to help pay for the expense, often partially.

finance the expense

This implies providing the necessary funds or capital to cover the expense.

take care of the expense

This is a more informal way of saying to handle or resolve the expense.

settle the expense

This suggests finalizing the payment or obligation related to the expense.

discharge the debt

This phrase shifts the focus to paying off a debt resulting from the expense.

liquidate the debt

This implies converting assets into cash to pay off the expense-related debt.

FAQs

How can I use "meet the expense" in a sentence?

You can use "meet the expense" to describe the ability to cover costs. For example, "The company managed to meet the expense of the new marketing campaign".

What can I say instead of "meet the expense"?

You can use alternatives like "cover the cost", "bear the expense", or "afford the expense" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "meet the expense" or "meet the expenses"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "meet the expense" typically refers to a single, specific cost, while "meet the expenses" is used for multiple or ongoing costs. For example, "meet the monthly expenses".

What's the difference between "meet the expense" and "cover the expense"?

"Meet the expense" and "cover the expense" are very similar, but "meet" can sometimes imply overcoming a challenge to pay, whereas "cover" simply means to provide enough to pay for it.