Have hell to pay Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈhæv/ /ˈhɛɫ/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈpeɪ

HAV HEL tuh PAY

UK

hæv/ /hˈɛl/ /tˈuː/ /pˈeɪ

hav HEL too PAY

Definition

To face serious trouble or negative consequences for something, usually because of a mistake or wrongdoing.

Usage & Nuances

Very informal, often used as a warning or after someone realizes they are in trouble. Typically implies consequences from someone in authority or from the situation itself. Not used in formal writing. Commonly appears in the structure: 'If you do X, you’ll have hell to pay.' Avoid using in polite or professional contexts.

• Spanish: tener graves problemas - tener que enfrentarse a las consecuencias
• Portuguese (BR): ter sérios problemas - arcar com as consequências
• Portuguese (PT): ter sérios problemas - arcar com as consequências
• Chinese (Simplified): 会遇到大麻烦 - 承担严重后果
• Chinese (Traditional): 會遇到大麻煩 - 承擔嚴重後果
• Hindi: अच्छी खासी मुश्किलें झेलनी पड़ेंगी
• Arabic: سيواجه عواقب وخيمة - سيدفع الثمن غالياً
• Bengali: বড় সমস্যায় পড়া - চরম শাস্তি পাওয়া
• Russian: попасть в серьёзную передрягу - получить по полной
• Japanese: 大変なことになる - ひどい目に遭う
• Vietnamese: lãnh hậu quả nặng nề - gặp rắc rối lớn
• Korean: 큰일 나다 - 심각한 곤경에 처하다
• Turkish: başına büyük bela almak - ağır bedel ödemek
• Urdu: بڑی مصیبت میں پڑنا - سخت انجام بھگتنا
• Indonesian: menghadapi masalah besar - kena batunya

Example Sentences

If you break mom's vase, you'll have hell to pay.

basic

He lied to his boss and now he'll have hell to pay.

basic

Don't be late again or you'll have hell to pay.

basic

He forgot their anniversary and now he really has hell to pay.

natural

Trust me—you'll have hell to pay if you touch his car.

natural

When the truth comes out, they're all going to have hell to pay.

natural