Have the devil to pay Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈhæv/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈdɛvəɫ/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈpeɪ

HAV thuh DEV-uhl tuh PAY

UK

hæv/ /ðə, ði/ /dˈɛvəl/ /tˈuː/ /pˈeɪ

hav thuh DEV-uhl too PAY

Definition

To be in serious trouble or to face very bad consequences, especially because of something you did wrong.

Usage & Nuances

This is an old-fashioned, idiomatic expression, mostly informal. It emphasizes that the trouble or consequences are serious and often directly your own fault. Usually used after or in warning about bad decisions. Less common in modern spoken English.

• Spanish: meterse en un gran lío - afrontar serias consecuencias
• Portuguese (BR): ter sérios problemas - enfrentar graves consequências
• Portuguese (PT): ter sérios problemas - enfrentar graves consequências
• Chinese (Simplified): 陷入大麻烦 - 遭受严重后果
• Chinese (Traditional): 陷入大麻煩 - 遭受嚴重後果
• Hindi: बड़ी मुसीबत झेलना - गंभीर परिणाम भुगतना
• Arabic: يقع في مشكلة كبيرة - يواجه عواقب وخيمة
• Bengali: বড় বিপদে পড়া - গুরুতর পরিণতি ভোগ করা
• Russian: попасть в серьёзные неприятности - столкнуться с тяжёлыми последствиями
• Japanese: 大変なことになる - 深刻な結果に直面する
• Vietnamese: gặp rắc rối lớn - đối mặt hậu quả nghiêm trọng
• Korean: 큰 곤란에 처하다 - 심각한 결과를 맞다
• Turkish: büyük bir belaya girmek - ciddi sonuçlarla karşılaşmak
• Urdu: بڑی مشکل میں پڑنا - سنگین نتائج کا سامنا کرنا
• Indonesian: menghadapi masalah besar - mendapat konsekuensi serius

Example Sentences

If you forget to do your homework again, you'll have the devil to pay.

basic

He lied to his boss and now he has the devil to pay.

basic

You'll have the devil to pay if you break that window.

basic

If Dad finds out we took his car, we'll have the devil to pay.

natural

She forgot their anniversary, so she definitely has the devil to pay now.

natural

After breaking the rules at work, he knew he'd have the devil to pay sooner or later.

natural