Foot the bill Meaning in English
expression
ˈfʊt/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈbɪɫ
FOOT-thuh-BIL
fˈʊt/ /ðə, ði/ /bˈɪl
FOOT-thuh-BIL
Definition
To pay the total cost of something, especially when it is expensive and for a group of people.
Usage & Nuances
An informal idiom often used when someone covers everyone's expenses. Usually about paying for meals, outings, or big costs. Not used for small, routine individual purchases. Common with 'who will foot the bill?' or 'company footed the bill.'
Spanish: pagar la cuenta - hacerse cargo del gastoPortuguese (BR): pagar a conta - arcar com a despesaPortuguese (PT): pagar a conta - suportar a despesaChinese (Simplified): 买单 - 付款 (为他人)Chinese (Traditional): 買單 - 付款 (替他人)Hindi: बिल का भुगतान करना - खर्च उठानाArabic: يدفع الفاتورة - يتحمل التكاليفBengali: খরচ বহন করা - সমস্ত খরচ পরিশোধ করাRussian: оплатить счёт - взять на себя все расходыJapanese: 費用を負担する - 全額支払うVietnamese: trả toàn bộ chi phí - chi trả hếtKorean: 비용을 부담하다 - 계산을 모두 하다Turkish: masrafları karşılamak - faturayı ödemekUrdu: تمام خرچ اٹھانا - بل ادا کرناIndonesian: menanggung biaya - membayar semua biaya
Example Sentences
Who will foot the bill for dinner tonight?
basic
The company will foot the bill for your travel.
basic
My parents usually foot the bill when we go out to eat.
basic
Don’t worry about the ticket—I’ll foot the bill this time.
natural
The government had to foot the bill for the repairs after the storm.
natural
After seeing the bill, Jack realized he was expected to foot the bill for everyone.
natural