pay the tab

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pay the tab" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to refer to settling a bill or covering the cost of something, often in a social setting like dining out. Example: "After our dinner, I decided to pay the tab since it was my treat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Jon, you pay the tab.

The New York Times

Soon It'll Be Time to Pay the Tab".

The New York Times

"His estate is going to have to pay the tab for that boat".

The New York Times - Magazine

Congress needs to replace the formula, pay the tab and protect Medicare for the elderly.

The New York Times

The U.S.D.A. will pay the tab, Ms. Ferris said, "and I don't have a problem with that.

The New York Times

Until recently, the widening spreads meant that borrowers paid more, but credit to companies that are willing to pay the tab did not really seem restricted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

When Guzmán dined out, he would pay the tabs of the other diners.

Vice

For those who can't afford to pay the tabs, the family and friends can be subject to exploitation to pay off the debt, including coerced prostitution and being forced to sell drugs.

Vice

Employers are paying the tab.

The New York Times

Most Valuable Player award in 2006, the Brewers paid the tab.

The New York Times

The government is paying the tab of $30 a day per person for room and board.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pay the tab" in informal settings, like restaurants or social gatherings, to mean covering the bill.

Common error

Avoid using "pay the tab" when referring to large-scale financial obligations like government debt; more formal terms such as "settle the debt" or "fulfill the financial obligation" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pay the tab" is as a verb phrase acting as the predicate in a sentence, indicating the action of settling a financial bill. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pay the tab" is a common and grammatically correct expression used primarily in informal contexts to describe settling a bill, especially in social settings. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. While widely accepted, it's best reserved for casual situations, with more formal alternatives available for business or academic writing. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foot the bill

Implies covering the entire cost, often for someone else.

settle the account

More formal way to say "pay the tab" especially in a business context.

pick up the check

Specifically refers to paying the bill at a restaurant.

cover the expenses

Broader term encompassing all costs involved.

take care of the charges

A more formal alternative, suitable for customer service interactions.

clear the debt

Focuses on eliminating an outstanding balance.

reimburse the costs

Suggests repaying someone for expenses they've already incurred.

make the payment

Generic term for fulfilling a financial obligation.

handle the finances

Implies managing the monetary aspects of a situation.

bear the financial burden

Emphasizes the responsibility of handling the costs.

FAQs

What does "pay the tab" mean?

Paying the tab means settling a bill or covering the cost of something, especially in social situations like at a restaurant or bar.

How can I use "pay the tab" in a sentence?

You can use "pay the tab" in sentences like: "After dinner, I'll "foot the bill"" or "Could you "pick up the check" this time?"

Are there any formal alternatives to "pay the tab"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "settle the account", "cover the expenses", or "take care of the charges".

When is it appropriate to use "pay the tab"?

It's appropriate to use "pay the tab" in informal contexts, like settling a restaurant bill with friends. In formal business settings, consider using a more professional term.