There will be the devil to pay Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈðɛɹ/ /ˈwɪɫ/, /wəɫ/ /ˈbi/, /bi/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈdɛvəɫ/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈpeɪ

THAIR wil bee thuh DEV-uhl tuh PAY

UK

ðˈeə/ /wˈɪl/ /bˈiː/ /ðə, ði/ /dˈɛvəl/ /tˈuː/ /pˈeɪ

THAIR wil bee thuh DEV-uhl too PAY

Definition

This expression means that there will be serious trouble or consequences, usually as a result of someone’s actions or a mistake.

Usage & Nuances

Old-fashioned and dramatic, often used to warn someone about serious consequences. Usually spoken, not commonly used in modern casual conversation. Similar to 'there will be hell to pay', but less harsh.

• Spanish: habrá graves consecuencias - se armará un gran lío
• Portuguese (BR): vai dar um grande problema - teremos um grande prejuízo
• Portuguese (PT): vai haver grandes problemas - haverá sarilhos
• Chinese (Simplified): 会闹大祸 - 会有很大麻烦
• Chinese (Traditional): 會鬧大禍 - 會有很大麻煩
• Hindi: भारी मुसीबत आएगी - बड़ी समस्या होगी
• Arabic: سيحدث أمر خطير - ستكون هناك عواقب وخيمة
• Bengali: মহাবিপদ হবে - বড় ঝামেলা হবে
• Russian: будут серьёзные неприятности - будет большой скандал
• Japanese: 大変なことになる - ひどい目にあう
• Vietnamese: sẽ gặp rắc rối lớn - sẽ có chuyện lớn
• Korean: 큰일 난다 - 심각한 문제가 생긴다
• Turkish: başımıza büyük dert açılır - ciddi sorun olur
• Urdu: بہت بڑی مصیبت آ جائے گی - سخت مصیبت پڑے گی
• Indonesian: akan ada masalah besar - bakal kena masalah

Example Sentences

If you break that window, there will be the devil to pay.

basic

If we are late again, there will be the devil to pay at work.

basic

She warned me that there will be the devil to pay if I don’t finish my homework.

basic

If you tell Dad about this, there will be the devil to pay.

natural

One more mistake and there will be the devil to pay in the office.

natural

Trust me, if he finds out what happened, there will be the devil to pay.

natural