pay for the consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

"pay for the consequences" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to having to accept the bad results of certain actions. For example: "He told lies to get ahead, but now he must pay for the consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

We will pay for the consequences if we don't.

The New York Times - Books

We have to live with this mess and pay for the consequences.

Independent

Other developing countries will accrue no benefit — and in fact will pay for the consequences".

The New York Times

The notion implied that industry had damaged the planet, and should therefore pay for the consequences.

The Economist

"When people do not pay for the consequences of their actions, we have market failure.

The New Yorker

Here's the choice: pay for the consequences of cars or the upgrade of mass transit.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

And the nation will spend years paying for the consequences of their gullibility.

The New York Times

Like the majority of Americans, they saw nothing wrong with patients paying for the consequences of their actions.

The New York Times - Health

The BMA says it was short-sighted of ministers to slash funding from many health intervention projects that were addressing the "causes of social breakdown" rather than paying for the consequences.

The Guardian

In any event, we have not finished paying for the consequences of the financial crisis.

Huffington Post

He had forked out money from his business so he can fulfill services, but he had no legal recourse and paid for the consequences big time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pay for the consequences" when you want to emphasize that someone or some entity will experience negative results as a direct result of their actions. Be specific about who is paying and what the consequences are for clarity.

Common error

Ensure that the consequences you're attributing are genuinely a result of the actions mentioned. Avoid incorrectly linking unrelated events as consequences. Otherwise, you may distort the reality of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay for the consequences" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone or something will experience negative outcomes as a result of their actions. Ludwig shows examples in news articles and academic writing, indicating wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pay for the consequences" is a common and grammatically sound expression signifying that an individual or entity will experience negative outcomes as a result of their actions. According to Ludwig, the phrase frequently appears in news and media, highlighting its relevance in discussions of accountability and causality. While alternatives like "face the music" or "bear the consequences" exist, ""pay for the consequences"" provides a direct and widely understood way to express this concept. It's crucial to accurately link consequences to actions to avoid misattribution. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bear the consequences

Emphasizes enduring the negative results of an action.

suffer the consequences

Highlights the experience of hardship as a result of actions.

answer for one's actions

Highlights the need to be held accountable.

accept the fallout

Highlights the negative repercussions of an event.

face the music

Implies accepting punishment or criticism for one's actions.

be held accountable

Focuses on external imposition of responsibility.

reap what you sow

Focuses on the principle that actions inevitably lead to corresponding outcomes.

take the heat

Suggests enduring criticism or pressure as a result of actions.

take responsibility for the outcome

Stresses accepting accountability for the results of an action.

foot the bill

Refers specifically to financial responsibility for the results of an action.

FAQs

How can I use "pay for the consequences" in a sentence?

You can use "pay for the consequences" to indicate that someone is experiencing the negative results of their actions. For example, "If you break the law, you will "pay for the consequences"".

What does it mean to "bear the consequences"?

To "bear the consequences" is similar to ""pay for the consequences"", meaning to endure the negative results of one's actions or decisions. It emphasizes the act of enduring hardship.

What's the difference between "suffer the consequences" and ""pay for the consequences""?

"Suffer the consequences" emphasizes the experience of hardship, while ""pay for the consequences"" is a more general term for experiencing negative outcomes.

What are some alternatives to saying ""pay for the consequences""?

Alternatives include "face the music", "bear the consequences", or "suffer the consequences", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.